Google
This is a digital copy of a book that was preserved for generations on library shelves before it was carefully scanned by Google as part of a project
to make the world's books discoverable online.
It has survived long enough for the copyright to expire and the book to enter the public domain. A public domain book is one that was never subject
to copyright or whose legal copyright term has expired. Whether a book is in the public domain may vary country to country. Public domain books
are our gateways to the past, representing a wealth of history, culture and knowledge that's often difficult to discover.
Marks, notations and other maiginalia present in the original volume will appear in this file - a reminder of this book's long journey from the
publisher to a library and finally to you.
Usage guidelines
Google is proud to partner with libraries to digitize public domain materials and make them widely accessible. Public domain books belong to the
public and we are merely their custodians. Nevertheless, this work is expensive, so in order to keep providing tliis resource, we liave taken steps to
prevent abuse by commercial parties, including placing technical restrictions on automated querying.
We also ask that you:
+ Make non-commercial use of the files We designed Google Book Search for use by individuals, and we request that you use these files for
personal, non-commercial purposes.
+ Refrain fivm automated querying Do not send automated queries of any sort to Google's system: If you are conducting research on machine
translation, optical character recognition or other areas where access to a large amount of text is helpful, please contact us. We encourage the
use of public domain materials for these purposes and may be able to help.
+ Maintain attributionTht GoogXt "watermark" you see on each file is essential for in forming people about this project and helping them find
additional materials through Google Book Search. Please do not remove it.
+ Keep it legal Whatever your use, remember that you are responsible for ensuring that what you are doing is legal. Do not assume that just
because we believe a book is in the public domain for users in the United States, that the work is also in the public domain for users in other
countries. Whether a book is still in copyright varies from country to country, and we can't offer guidance on whether any specific use of
any specific book is allowed. Please do not assume that a book's appearance in Google Book Search means it can be used in any manner
anywhere in the world. Copyright infringement liabili^ can be quite severe.
About Google Book Search
Google's mission is to organize the world's information and to make it universally accessible and useful. Google Book Search helps readers
discover the world's books while helping authors and publishers reach new audiences. You can search through the full text of this book on the web
at|http: //books .google .com/I
tlarbarb College Itbrorp
BRIGHT LEGACY
Oae half die iaeoac ftoa tkl* Ltgicy, which wu re-
ceived In iMo uider the will of
JONATHAN BROWN BRIGHT
of Wiltham, MaMachuettt, b to be expended for book*
for the CoU^ Library. The other half of the income
ii deroted to teholanhiM in Harvard Unlvenltj for the
beneflt of detceadantt of
HENRY BRIGHT, JR.,
who died at Waiartown. MasMchnsctts, in 1686. In the
abacnce of nich deaeendantt, other pevMnt are eligible
to the teholardhipe. The will reqniret that thla annovace-
aent shall be aade in ercrj book added to the Librarf
aader Ita ptorisiona.
A History of Rehoboth
Massachusetts
ITS HISTORY FOR «76 YEARS
1648-1918
IN WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE VITAL PARTS OF THE
ORIGINAL HISTORY OF THE TOWN, PUBLISHED IN
IS», AND WRITTBN BY LEONARD BLISS, Jm.
By Rev. GEORGE H. TILTON, A.M.
Jtekoboth, the Lord hath made room for ui.— Gen. S6 : SS.
BOSTON, MASS.:
PU^SHED BY THE AU^HORv
as /3iJ.B'^Jo
To open this book properly see pfige ^10,
• \ » >. 1.11/ , ■^».
luN
I
COPYRIOHT, 1918
By Gborgi Hbmby Tif.Tov
Loots E. Crosscup Co., Pbintkri
Boston, MAasAcnosKTT*
-g£f^trn^!A0t J^^h4^, /i^
TO TIIK PKOrLK OF
REHOBOTH
WnOBE NOBLE ANCESTORS EXEMPLIFIED
THE LARGE FREEDOM OF THE PILGRIM FATHERS
AND WHOSE SONS AND DAUGHTERS
ARE DOING BRAVELY THEIR PART IN THE WORLD's WORK
IS DEDICATED WITH THE SINCERE REGARDS OF
THE AUTHOR
FOREWORD
Leonard Bliss, Jr., published his ''History of Rehoboth" in
1836. His special merit consisted in culling from the old town
and proprietors' records and those of the Plymouth Colony the
annak and documents which constitute the larger part of his book.
"I designed the volume," he writes, "to be a collection of well
authenticated facts." These were wisely edited and are the
foundation facts upon which the present author and all who
follow him must depend. To this gifted young writer we gladly
acknowledge our obligation and avail ourselves freely of his
material.
But in the four-score years and more since Bliss's book was
issued much new material has come to light, and many important
events have occurred, including those of the Civil War. The
time seems ripe for supplementing the earlier history and for
bringing all subsequent events down to the present time. The
new history follows with Bliss the order of time in the early part:
Blackstone and Roger Williams, pioneer dwellers in the old town,
opened the way for the Hingham and Weymouth Colony under
Samuel Newman in 1643-4. King Philip's War is given con-
siderable space, as it had its beginning on the borders and its
ending within the limits of Rehoboth and caused great distress
to the inhabitants. The war of the Revolution is more fully set
forth than in the older history and much new matter is introduced.
Then follows an account of the old Militia of Bristol County
and the soldiers of tlie Civil War. The history of each of the
churches is given from its organization to the present time, or to
its end in case of lapse. The early history of the Newman Church
is closely identified with the progress of the town, as both were
under one government down to 1759. The Palmer's River Church,
formed in 1721, has a long and interesting record and is given
ample space. The several Baptist Churches also, of which three
were of the six-principle order, have been thoroughly studied and
their merits fairly written.
Then follow chapters on Education, the Antiquarian Society,
Agriculture, Native Trees, Cemeteries, and various miscellaneous
topics of importance.
vi HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
The Biographical section of the book contains carefully written
sketches of more than a hundred men and women, and special
pains have been taken' to enrich the family names with much
genealogical material.
The ample illustrations throughout the volume, whether of
persons and places, or maps, diagrams and facsimiles, speak for
themselves and we trust will justify their presence in the book.
We would call attention to the three groups of fifty-one teachers,
of which the town may well be proud.
The writer would acknowledge his great indebtedness to all who
have assisted him in his exacting enterprise: to the historian,
Hon. Thomas Williams Bicknell, formerly identified with the edu-
cational affairs of the town, for many courtesies and for his sym-
pathetic interest in every phase of the work; to Dr. Horace Everett
Horton, in whose veins flows the blood of some of Rehoboth's best
families, for his constant encouragement and for his helpful sugges-
tions concerning affairs of the olden time; to Mrs. Abbie W. Marvel
for securing names and sketches of teachers represented in groups,
and for her unfailing efforts for the success of the book; and to
Hon. Geo. N. Goff for the loan of old and valuable documents
shedding light upon the past.
In regard to the spelling of proper names we have tried to fol-
low the custom of the families referred to, but where they differ,
who can steer a consistent course? In a single graveyard the
name Pierce was written five different ways. Again we have
Miller, Millerd and Millard; Read and Reed; Allen and Allyn, etc.
We trust the History may prove valuable for reference, as well
as a souvenir companion for the fireside.
In concluding this preface, we take pleasure in acknowledging
our great indebtedness to Marsden Jasiel Perry, successful banker
and man of affairs, lover of Nature and patron of the fine arts,
and distinguished collector of rare Shakesperiana, for generous
financial aid in publishing the history of his native town. But for
this timely help, with the world at war and expenses multiplied,
the book could not have been issued without loss. To this worthy
descendant of Anthony Perry is due peculiar honor for meeting
two-fifths of the large expense of this History, thus affording com-
fort and stimulus to the writer.
CONTENTS
CNArTBR FAOB
Introduction 1
I. Earlt Settlers and Annals 5
William Blackstone 6
Roger WiUiams 12
Samuel Newman 18
Annals and Documents 18
11. King Philip's War 62
III. The Revolutionary War and Events Following .... 114
IV. The Bristol County Militia 147
V. Soldiers op the Civil War 155
VI. The Churches of Rehoboth 172
Congregational Church 172
Oak Swamp Church 195
Uornbine Church 203
Annawan Church 207
Irons or Free Will Church 210
Methodist Episcopal Church 212
Elder Feck's Church 215
VII. The Frogress of Education 216
VIII. The Teachers of Rehoboth 225
IX. The Rehoboth Antiquarian Society 234
X. Rehoboth Agriculture 247
XI. Native Trees 255
XII. Rehoboth Manufactures 265
XIII. Rehoboth Cemeteries 275
The Village Yard 275
Falincr's River 278
The Feck Yard 283
Burial Place Hill 284
Cole Brook and Joshua Fierce Yards 287
Stevens Corner 291
Briggs Corner 203
Smaller Yards 295
XIV. Biographical Sketches 305
XV. Miscellaneous Topics 393
Rehoboth Roads 393
Silk Culture 395
The Annawan Club 396
The Goff Gathering Association 397
The Great Freshet 397
Rehoboth Detecting Society 398
Old Records 39«>
Some Old Rehoboth Customs 403
Old Rehoboth Lists 408
A Voice from the Grave 409
Notes 410
Rehoboth Men in the National Army, 1918 410
Index 411
• •
VII
MAPS AND ILLUSTRATIONS
Facing pa§e
-'Geo H. Tilton i
'L. Buss, Jb iii
^Marsdbn J. Pbrbt vi
'Map op Old Rbboboth xi
«Map op Bristol County 1
•Stbbbts op Rbboboth 3
^Ibons Mebting-housb 4
^Blackstonb Monument (two views) 12-13
' Gabbison Houses 69
,^A8ABbl Buss and Anna wan Rock. — Walteb Buss Frost . . . 82-3
^Facsimile Receipts. — Willbtt Monument 130-1
^Ellebt L. Gopp. — Fbank II. Horton 144-5
«CoL. Ltndal Bowen. — Major Geo. W. Buss 146-7
'Angle-tree Monument. — Mr. and Mrs. S. L. Peirce 154-5
'Francis A. Buss. — Wiluam II. Lutheb 156-7
-'Capt. Constant S. Hobton. — Lieut. Amos M. Bowen and Wm. M.
P. Bowen 168-9
^HOBNBINB ChUBCH AND ScHOOL. — WiLUAM ThATCHEB 202-3
'Rbv. Gbobgb II. Hobton. — Welcome F. Horton 20&-7
TuBUo School at Gopp Memobial Hall 216
'ConobeoationalChubch; OldPabsonaoe; PbrsbntPabsonage. . 217
^Thomas W. Bicknell. — Amelia D. (Blanding) Bicknell . . . . 220-1
*John C. Mabvel. — Fbedbbick W. Mabvel 224-5
^Rehoboth Teachebs, Group I. — Christopher C. Viall 226-7
'Rehoboth Teachebs, Group II. — Charles Pbbrt 228^9
* Rbboboth Teachebs, Group III. — Scuoolhouse and Village. . 230-1
*Old Gopp Inn 235
* FiBST AND Second Memorial Halls. — Village Scene and Factory 236-7
-^Antiquabian Reucs. — Mb. and Mbs. John A. Buppinton . . . 238-9
^Flax and Wool Implements 239
"Hon. Dabius Gopp. — George N. Gopp and Mrs. Gopp 242-3
^Wh EATON -Horton Group. — Farm Scenes 248-9
'Henry T. Horton. — Jeremiah W. Horton 250-1
^Wiluam W. Blanding. — Reuben Bowen 252-3
^ Lewis Tavern and Grange Hall. — Grenville Stevens .... 254-5
^Plantation op White Pine (two views) 260-1
^Wiluam A. King. — Benjamin Peck and Orleans Factory . . . 268^9
MAPS AND ILLUSTRATIONS ix
Facing page
^George Pease Baker. — John F. Baker 306
'Abbt M. Baker. — Anna wan Club House and Hill-Crest . . . 307
« Johnstone Black. — Deacon and Mrs. Gustavus A. Reed . . . 312-3
-IIannah T. (Munroe) Bliss. — Frederic W. Bliss 318^9
'Dr. George D. Bliss. — The Coles op three generations. . . 320-1
/Leonard C. Bliss. — Elmer J. Bliss 324-5
'Charlotte W. (Feck) Brown. — Walter De F. Brown .... 332-3
\ William Dexter Bullock. — Gov. John W. Davis 338-9
^G. Hiram and Arthur Harold Goff. — Isaac L. Goff 350-1
>/ Hiram Lake, M.D. — Old Houses 359-60
« Clarence A. Munroe. — Bbnj. F. Munroe 365-6
/Philip A. Munroe. — Addison P. Munroe 366-7
^Dr. George Pierce Baker. — Drs. Edgar and Arthur R. Pjbbrt . 372-3
^Paschal E. Wilmarth. — John F. Marvel 391-2
' Folding Map last page
KEY TO MAP
Outer boiuMUry = Rehoboth in iti greateit extent.
WJBtEJMss Boundary of originml Rehoboth, including Wanoamoiiet.
/////// sSUte line.
North Purchaae, 1661; became Attleborough, including "The Gore," Ine.
1694.
Attleborough Gore became Cumberland, R.I., 1747.
Seekonk set off from Rehoboth, 1812.
Pawtucket set off from Seekonk, 1828.
Eait Providence set off from Seekonk, 1862.
® Blackitone.
® Roger Willianu' settlement in Seekonk, 1636.
® Wannamoiset, ward of Rehoboth till 1667, after that a part of Swaneea
and Harrington till 1747, when it came into Rehoboth.
® The Rehoboth of to-day and since 1812.
® Seekonk at present and since 1862.
® North Purchase, including Attleborough and "The Gore."
Nora— North Attleboroufh wm set off from Attleboroucli in liST.
WREHrHAM
^ B/i/sroL CO.
INTRODUCTION
^ LD Itchoboth was one of the fairest districts of New
ICiigland, bordered on the west by the beautiful
Blackstone, called by the Indians "Pawtucket,"
which at last under the name of the Providence
Uiver mingles its waters with tliose of the blue
jSs^^K Nairagansett. Its inland surface is partly level
3i"K^SMC .^nd partly diversified by hills and valleys, streams
md meadows, with foresLs of oak, maple, pine,
and cedar. It is delightfully broken by elevations attractive to the
eye; namely, Jacob's Hill, Rocky Hill, Long Hill, Great Meadow
Hill, anrl Mt. Tcrrydiddle, which in turn command views of great
loveliness. Its climate is unsurpassed in New England for its
salubrity, compared by Pastor Rogerson to his native England for
its pleasing Viiriety, its general mildness and its healthfulness; and
much of its soil is capable of large harvests in grain, vegetables
and fruits.
Itchoboth was fortunate in the quality of its early settlers,
vfao set a worthy exat>~ ~le tor those coming after them. The
ruits of that hbtoric u- were comely and wholesome. More
hings of note have occuTPd within the bounds of the old town
.ban even its children a' t of. They were strong mer -"'lo won
he victories of those early days, felling the dense forest duing
he wild beasU, building homes and churches, erectinj j rude shops
or the carpenter, the blacksmith, the wheelwright, the cooper,
id the shoemaker, while at the same time wresting a living from
le soil and the waters. In many things they led the way fcr other
.ommunities; for within the bounds of old Rehoboth was formed
thefirst Baptist Church in Massachusetts, with its triumphant asser-
tion of the principles of human liberty, the right to worship God ac-
cording to one's own conscience. Herewas the first exampleof free
public schools, supported by a tax on all the inhabitants. Here
Elder Samuel Peck illustrated tlie autonomy of the local church by
organizing and maintaining a useful body of Christian believers
for more than forty years. Here on the East Branch of Palmer's
River, early in the eighteenth century, Ebenezer Peck erected his
famous iron forging privilege which made the Meadow Hill region
4 HISTORY OF EEHOBOTH
roads that lead by the old homesteads, while one's imagination
clothes them with incident and legend, and peoples them with the
spirits of past years. One will more fully realize and enjoy the
comforts of the present day as one compares them with the meager
advantages of the olden time."
Rehoboth, encircled as she is by growing cities, is destined to be-
come a vast market-garden, as well as a suburban home where
families of wealth and refinement will deUght to dwell.
•■"' 7 m /^Ss'A / Yf V-.-
J ilii?isi!l¥l prralll M. H 4V
:j i I.1U:
'■''^ifm'^ ^'..
THE IRONS MRETING-HOtlSE, 1777 to 1837
In on Oak Grove. Briggs Corner. Dniwn by Win. Illnniliiig, M,D.
CHAPTER I.
EARLY SETTLERS AND ANNALS
[It may be of interest to note the meaning of certain Indian
names referred to in this history: —
Seekonk (variously spelled) : On or at the mouth of a stream
(Tooker). Another interpretation is "Black Goose": seaki,
black, and honk, goose (Williams).
Wannamoiset: At a good fishing place.
Pawtucket: The place of the great falls.
Massassoii (variously written) : The great King; massa, great,
and assotj king.
Osamequin (spelled variously) : Another name for Massassoit.
The yellow feather; from oiLsa^ yellow, and mequin, a
feather.
Pokanoket: Cleared land or country.
Wampanoag: The people of the Eastland.
SowaTtis: The South country or Southward.
Wav>epoon8eag: The place where birds are snared or taken.
Kickemuit: At the great spring.
Touissett: At or about the old fields.
Sliawmut: A spring of water.]
The old town of Ilehoboth comprised in its greatest extent the
present town, together with Seekonk, East Providence, Paw-
tucket, Attlcborough, North Attleborough, Cumberland, R.I.,
and that part of old Swansea (afterwards Barrington) which was
called by the Indians Wannamoiset.
The first purchase of land for the settlement of the town was
made of Massassoit in 1641: **a tract eight miles square" (really
ten), and embraced what now constitutes the towns of Rehoboth,
Seekonk, the First and Second Wards of Pawtucket, and East
Providence.
The second purchase was a small tract known as Wannamoiset,
which in 1645 became a possession of John Brown and a ward of
Rehoboth. This tract was included in Swansea when that town
was incorporated in 1667, but reverted to Rehoboth in 1747, at
least the larger part of it, and the "Neck" is now known as Bul-
151
6 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
lock's Point. While Swansea embraced at first, besides the present
town, Somerset, Barrington, and the greater part of Warren,
there is no ground for the impression that it ever included within
its bounds any part of Rehoboth beyond the scanty though some-
what indefinite area of Wannamoiset.^
The third and last purchase was the "North Purchase" in 1661,
now forming Attleborough and North Attleborough, Mass., and
Cumberland, R.I. The North Purchase was incorporated into a
separate town, by the name of Attleborough, in 1694; and this
was subdivided in 1746-7, the "Gore" becoming Cumberland,
while North Attleborough was set off in 1887.
The first white settler within the original limits of Rehoboth was
William Blackstone. He lived in what is now the village of Lons-
dale in Cumberland, R.I., on the river which bears his name,
about three miles above Pawtucket.
He came to this country from England about the year 1625 and
settled on the peninsula of Shawmut, now the city of Boston. All
we know of him before this is that he was a nonconformist minis-
ter of the established church in England; and that not willing
to endure "the tyranny of the Lord-Bishops," he left the mother
country and sought an asylum in the wilds of North America.
He remained in quiet possession of his Shawmut estate until the
arrival of Governor Winthrop and his company in June, 1630.
They first located at Charlestown; but scarcity of water and sick-
ness soon made them discontented and they began to scatter.
Then "good William Blackstone, with true hospitality, came in
their distress to tell them there was a fine spring of pure water at
Shawmut and to invite them there" (S. A. Drake, "Around the
^It is a mistake often made to suppose that the present towns of Swansea
and Barrington were ever included within the limits of Rehoboth, although
at 6rst the land was held by her by police tenure (Bliss, p. 52). The early
settlers had land interests in Sowams, including salt-meadows near Hundred
Acre Cove» some of which are still owned by their descendants; the two places,
however, are quite distinct (BicknelPs Sowams, p. 141). The onlv part of
Sowams, afterwards Swansea and Barrington, ever claimed by Rehoboth was
Wannamoiset. This tract of border land (with twelve acres at Wachemoquit)
the town of Rehoboth authorized John Brown to purchase, which he did in
1645, for the sum of fifteen pounds. After 1667 it was included in old Swansea,
afterwards Barrington, until 1747, when a line three miles in length was run
directly northeast from the south end of Wannamoiset Neck (Bullock's Point)
to a bound near Runen*8 River, and that line was extended three miles from
the shore of the Bay, which brought the present towns of Barrington, Warren
and Bristol into Rhode Island. Wannamoiset Neck, thus cut off, became a
part of Rehoboth, remaining so until 1812, when Seckonk was set otT and it
was thenceforth included within that town until 1862, when it became a part
of East Providence, R.I.
EARLY SETTLERS AND ANNALS 7
Hub," ch. II.). And they, "liking that plain neck that was then
called Blackstone's Neck," accepted the invitation.
Blackstone's cottage stood near a spring on the south end of the
peninsula on a point of land called Blackstone's Point. Here
he cultivated a garden and planted an orchard, the first in New
England. He was the first to take the freeman's oath, —
May 18, 1631, — before the privilege was limited to church
members.
In the year 1628 the settlers of Plymouth made a tax on all the
plantations to support a campaign against one Morton of Merry
Mount (now Wollaston), and Mr. Blackstone of Shawmut was
taxed twelve shillings, which shows that his estate was considered
of importance.
There is no reason to suspect any serious trouble between him
and his neighbors, but Blackstone had no sympathy with their
narrow and intolerant views of religion, and being fond of solitude
he preferred to seek another retreat where he might enjoy his
own opinions unmolested. The colonists recognized his right in
the peninsula by setting off to him fifty acres, April 1, 1633. On
Nov. 10, 1634, he sold his right and title to this land to the inhabi-
tants of Boston, each one paying him six shillings and some of
them more. A reservation of six acres out of the fifty was made
for him where his house stood.
At a general meeting upon public notice it was agreed to make
and assess "a rate of £30 to Mr. Blackstone," which sum was
paid him for his lands, as will appear from the following deposition:
"The deposition of John Odlin, aged about eighty- two yeares,
Robert Walker, aged about seventy-eight yeares, Francis Hudson,
aged about sixty-eight yeares, and William Lytherland, aged
about seventy-six yeares. These Deponents being ancient dwellers
and inhabitants of the town of Boston in New-England, from the
first planting and settling thereof, and continuing so at this day,
do jointly testify and depose that in or about the yeare of our
Lord one thousand six hundred thirty-and-four the then present
inhabitants of said town of Boston (of whome the Honourable
John Winthrop, Esq. Governour of the Colony was chief e) did
treate and agree with Mr. William Blackstone for the purchase
of his estate and right in any lands lying within the said neck of
land called Boston, and for said purchase agreed that every
householder should pay six shillings, which was accordingly
collected, none paying less, some considerably more than six
shillings, and the said sume collected was delivered and paid to
8 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
Mr. Blackstone to his full content and satisfaction, in consider-
ation whereof hee sold unto the then inhabitants of said town
and their heirs and assigns forever his whole right and interest in
all and every of the lands lying within the said neck, reserving
onely unto himselfe about six acres of land 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 trayning field; which ever since and now is used for that pur-
Eose, and for the feeding of cattell: Robert Walker and William
ytherland farther testify that Mr. Blackstone bought a stock of
cows with the money hee received as above, and removed and
dwelt near Providence, where hee lived till the day of his death.
"Deposed this 10th day of June 1684, by John Odlin, Robert
Walker, Francis Hudson, and William Lytherland according to
their respective testimonys.
"Befor us
**S. Bradstreet, Governor,
"Sam. Sewall, Assist."
(Snow's Hist, of Boston, pp. 50-51.)
A few months later, in the year 1635, this eccentric man again
bade adieu to the abodes of civilization and moved westward into
the wilderness in search of an asylum.
The place he now selected was the Attleborough Gore of history,
on the east bank of the river that perpetuates his name. The
Indian name of the place was Wawepoonseag, a name first men-
tioned in the Plymouth records in describing the boundaries of
the North Purchases in 1661: "From Rehoboth ranging upon
Pawtucket river, to a place called by the natives Wawepoonseag,
where one Blackstone now sojourncth.*' The place is now a
part of Lonsdale Village in Cumberland, R.I. In this retreat he
built his house, cultivated his garden and planted his orchard.
His house he called Study Hall, and the elevation on which it
was built he named "Study Hill."
During his residence at Cumberland, Mr. Blackstone married
Mrs. Sarah Stevenson of Boston, as appears by the Boston town
records: "Mr. William Blackstone was married to Sarah Steven-
son, widow, the 4th of July, 1659, by John Endicott, Governor";
She 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; and James, born Oct. 1st, 1653. His
second son, John Stevenson, lived with his mother after her
marriage with Mr. Blackstone, and, after their decease, continued
EARLY SETTLERS AND ANNALS 9
to reside on a part of Blackstone's land, granted him by the Court
of Plymouth, during the remainder of his life (Daggett's Hist, of
Atileborough).
Blackstone's wife died about the middle of June, 1673 (Rehoboth
records), and he survived her only about two years, dying May 26,
1675 ("buried May 28," ib.)» a few weeks before the commence-
ment of the Indian War which laid in ashes his "fair domain." He
had lived in New England about fifty years, nearly ten at Shaw-
mut, and forty at this place, and must have been about eighty
years of age.
How vast the contrast between his valley with its framed house
surrounded by an unbroken forest as far as the eye could reach and
the same valley to-day crowded with a dense population gathered
in numerous cities and villages! Could that solitary dweller in the
wilderness revisit the scenes of his sylvan retreat he would see at
almost every turn of tliat charming river wliicli bears his name,
immense manufacturing plants representing millions of dollars,
while the hum of unnumbered spindles would meet his ears, along
with the shriek of the locomotive, the gong of the electric car and
the honk of the automobile.
We learn from "the inventory of his lands, goods and chattells,"
taken two days after his death by "Mr. Stephen Paine and others
of Rehoboth," that his real estate (not appraised) amounted to 200
acres of land besides the meadow called Blackstone's meadow, and
also sixty acres and two shares in meadows in Providence.
We learn also that his library contained 186 volumes from folios
to paper books valued at £15. 12*. 6d., and his personal remainder
at £40. 11*., making a total personal of £56. 3*. 6d.
This was a respectable library for those times and for one living
in the wilds of America. Tliis recluse doubtless made books the
companion of his lonely retreat, and the paper books may have
l)een his diary of events and reflections, which, considering his
original and contemplative mind, would have shed light upon his
character and environment; but very soon "this estate (the mov-
ables) was destroyed and carried away by the natives."
It would seem that Blackstone delighted in out-of-door occupa-
tions as well as books. He was kept busy with his garden, his
orchard, and his cattle.
He often visited Providence, seven miles down the river, and
exchanged greetings with his friend Roger Williams, preaching to
10 HISTORY OP REHOBOTH
the people and giving them apples from his trees, the first that
some of them had ever seen. When in his declining years the
journey on foot became difficult, tradition says that he tamed a
bull on which he rode when visiting his friends.
Perhaps no one thing is more characteristic of this kindly but
eccentric man than the speech he is said to have made to the people
of Boston when about to leave them. "I came from England be-
cause I did not like the Lord-Bishops, but I cannot join with you
because I would not be under the Lord-Brethren."
Here is revealed a man of independent spirit who could not be
fettered by the intolerance and bigotry of his age.
It is not unlikely that Blackstone had one or more servants
with him in his isolation. He would probably need help in the
building of his house and the cultivation of his farm. Tradition
says that he had a servant by the name of Abbott, to whom he
gave land on the "run" that bears his name.
Concerning Blackstone's family little was known for many
years. He had one son by his marriage with Mrs. Stephenson»
John Blackstone, born at Rehoboth, probably his only child.
He was a minor when his father died and had guardians appointed
him by the Plymouth Court. He lived on his inheritance till
1692, when, having squandered his estate by his intemperate and
idle habits, he sold his lands to David Whipple and soon after
removed to Providence, where he probably married his wife
Katharine and supported his family by shoemaking. In 1713
he returned to Attlehorough and with his wife was legally warned
out of town. Tradition says he afterwards moved to Connecticut
and settled near New Haven. Tradition also says that a son of
John and grandson of William Blackstone fell at the taking of
Louisburg in the French War, whither he marched in the capacity
of a lieutenant.
His step-son, John Stevenson, came with his mother on her
marriage to Mr. Blackstone. He was then about fourteen years
of age and continued with them until their decease, and proved
himself very serviceable in their declining years. For his filial
kindness the Court of Plymouth rewarded him with a part of
Mr. Blackstone's estate, and ordered to l)e "laid out unto him
fifty acres of land and five acres of meadow."
Stevenson resided here, it is thought unmarried, until his death,
Sept. 16, 1695. His time was devoted to the cultivation of his
EARLY SETTLERS AND ANNALS U
lands and to the pleasures of hunting. (For further details see
Daggett's History of Aiileborough.)
Blackstone's retreat has undergone many changes with the
lapse of years; nearly all the local features of even one hundred
years ago have disappeared and only the most general outlines
can now be seen. The extensive excavations and gradings in
preparation for the building of the great Ann and Hope Mill in
1886 obliterated the old landmarks. The Mill was erected directly
over Blackstone's grave, which had been opened May 6, 1886, in
the presence of a lineal descendant, Mr. Lorenzo Blackstone of
Norwich, Conn. The remains were reburied in the neat and
attractive yard of the mill, where a fine granite monument now
stands, erected in 1889 by his lineal descendants. The accom-
panying photographs show the inscription on the four sides.
By persistent research the author is enabled to publish for the
first time an exact account of William Blackstone's descendants to
the present time. The following statements are verified by Mr.
George Blackstone of Branford, Conn., and Mrs. Harriet (Black-
stone) Camp of Norwich, Conn., both lineal descendants and now
living; corroborated by Mr. M. L. Sargent of Norwich, Conn., in
a pamphlet printed in 1857, entitled "The Blackstone Family";
also by the Blackstone monument erected at Lonsdale, R.I., in
1889, "By his Lineal Descendants":
William,^ born in England about 1595, died at Rehoboth,
1675.
John,' born in Rehoboth about 1660-65; time and place
of death uncertain.
John,' born in Providence, R.I., (probably) 1699; died at
Branford, Conn., Jan. 3, 1785.
John,* bom at Branford, Conn., 1731; died at Branford,
Aug. 10, 1816.
Timothy,* born at Branford, Conn., 1766; died at Bran-
ford, 1847.
James,* born at Branford, Conn., 1793; died at Branford*
1886.
JoHN,^ born at Branford, Conn., 1825; died at Branford,
1890.
George,* born at Branford, Conn., 1861; still living.
James Blackstone* was a man of large influence who several
times represented his town in the legislature, and also served as a
member of the State Senate. A magnificent library of Tennessee
marble was erected at Branford in his honor in 1896 by his son
12 HISTORY OP REHOBOTH
Timothy Blackstone/ President of the Chicago & Alton R.R.
Company, who died in Chicago May 26» 1900. James had sons
as follows: —
George/ died without issue.
Lorenzo/ June 21, 1819 - Nov. 14, 1888.
JoHN,^ 1825 - 1890. His son George" is the last of five
generations born and reared on the paternal homestead.
Timothy,' 1829 - 1900.
Ellen,' dau. of James, married H. B. Plant, developer of
the Plant Line of steamboats, the Southern Express Co.,
etc. Their only son, Morton F. Plant* of New London,
Conn., is a millionaire promoter of real estate in Florida.
Lorenzo' had six children, of whom only one, Mrs. Harriet B.
Camp, survives. His son William N. Blackstone* died at Nor-
wich, Conn., in 1907. He was held in high esteem, the last Wil-
liam of the family. As stated above, Lorenzo' was present at the
opening of his ancestor's grave in 1886.
Another man of distinction to settle within the limits of Reho-
both was Roger Williams. Little is known of his early life. He
was probably born in Wales between 1599 and 1603, of pious
parentage. He was educated at Pembroke College, Cambridge,
and took the degree of A.B. there in January, 1626. (Dexter's
Roger Williams, p. 2.) There is a story, without proof, that he
studied law for a time after leaving the university. He became a
clergyman of the established Church, then a nonconformist, and
finally a rigid separatist, for which change he suffered severe per-
secution. **Truly it was as bitter as death for me," he writes,
"when Bishop Laud pursued me out of this land and my conscience
was persuaded against the national Church." He embarked from
Bristol with his wife Mary, in the ship "Lyon," Capt. Pierce,
master, Dec. 1, 1630, and after a tempestuous voyage of sixty-six
days arrived off Nantasket Feb. 5, 1631. As John Wilson, ]>astor of
the Boston Church, was about to visit friends in England, the Church
invited Mr. Williams to supply his place during his absence.
He refused on the ground of conscience and because they were
an "unseparated people." This curt reply tended to prejudice
the members against the youthful preacher, and hearing that the
church at Salem had invited him to be their teacher in connection
with the Rev. Samuel Skelton, the Court of Boston, on the 12th
of April following, caused a letter to be written to Mr. Endicott
riltTOOKHOUCRmilli
irrBfCBURCHor £«»♦""
|K„KOS£CO«H»«W
M.MS • ■ ^,„*««»" \
EARLY SETTLERS AND ANNALS 13
to say that the Salem people should act cautiously and without
undue haste, inasmuch as Mr. Williams refused to fellowship the
Boston church because it was not ready to proceed to the extreme
of separation, and because he had broached the novel opinions,
"that the magistrate might not punish the breach of the Sabbath,
nor any other offense as it was a breach of the first table."
Whether the Salem Church ordained Mr. Williams at this time
is a disputed point. It is certain that his stay there was brief,
as he was in Plymouth in 1631, "probably," as Gammell says,
"in the month of August," when he taught as assistant to the
Rev. Ralph Smith.
Governor Bradford speaks of him as "a man godly and zealous,
having many precious parts, but very unsettled in judgmente."
Before the close of 1633 he was back in Salem, assisting Mr.
Skelton "by way of prophecy," though "not in any office." On
the death of Mr. Skelton, Aug. 2, 1634, the church called him to
be their pastor, which call he accepted and thereby gave offence
to the citizens and Court of Boston; but regardless of everything
save his own headstrong purpose, he proceeded to severely de-
nounce the magistrates for not granting a petition of his church
about some Marblehead land. He asserted that the charter of
Massachusetts was invalid and unjust, as the soil and sovereignty
were not purchased of the natives. He declared that no oath
should be administered to unregeneratc persons, not even an oath
of fidelity to the government, and that a man ought not to pray
with such, though wife or child, etc. He even refused to com-
mune with members of his own church unless they would separate
themselves from the other churches of New England. These
utterances, which were put forth in an aggravating manner and
at a time when the very existence of the colony was at stake,
aroused against him the opposition of both court and clergy. He
was reprimanded and asked to desist, but he would not be silenced.
When brought before the court he would make no concessions,
and on Friday, Oct. 9, 1635, he was sentenced to perpetual banish-
ment. The sentence was in these terms:
"Whereas, Mr. Roger Williams, one of the elders of the Church of
Salem, hath broached and divulged divers new and dangerous opin-
ions against the authority of magistrates; as also writ letters of def-
amation, both of magistrates and churches here, and that before
any conviction, and yet maintaineth the same without any re-
tractation; it is therefore ordered, that the said Mr. Williams
14 HISTORY OP REHOBOTH
shall depart out of this jurisdiction within six weeks now next
ensuing, which if he neglect to perform, it shall be lawful for the
Governor and two of the magistrates to send him to some place
out of this jurisdiction, not to return any more without license
from the Court."
Our space permits only the briefest comment on this famous
edict. Perhaps no fairer statement of the matter can be made
than is given in the oration of Prof. J. Lewis Diman at the dedi-
cation of the monument at Roger Williams Park, Oct. 16, 1877:
"Against this community, so jealous of their rights, the head-
strong enthusiast dashed himself. What they did to him they had
done in repeated instances before. So far from being exceptionally
harsh, their treatment of Roger Williams was marked by unusual
lenity. His sorrowful winter flight when for fourteen weeks he
was so severely tossed, 'not knowing what bread or bed did mean,'
was no part of the official sentence pronounced against him, but
suffering which he voluntarily assumed."
Mr. Williams obtained permission to remain till spring, but as
he still persisted in preaching his offensive doctrines in his own
house, orders were sent early in January ("11 mo. January") to
Captain Underbill to seize him and send him to England; but
having received timely warning he made his escape, and in com-
pliance with the secret advice of Governor Winthrop steered his
course to the Narragansett Bay.
Long before the act of banishment, Williams, slirewdly fore-
seeing trouble with the Massachusetts Bay Colony, went among
the Indians and arranged with them for a possible settlement at
Narragansett Bay.
"In the yeare one Thousand Six hundred thirty Foure, And in
the yeare one Thousand Six hundred Thirtye Five, I, Roger
Williams, ha<l scvcrall Treutycs witli Counanicusse, And Mian-
tenome, the Two cheife Sacliims of the Narragansett; and pur-
chased of them the I^ndes," etc. (Chapin's Doc, Hist, of R, /.,
pp. 1, 2.)
0
"The reason was," writes Winthrop, "because he had drawn
above twenty persons to his opinion, and they were intended to
erect a plantation about the Narragansett Bay." (Winthrop, I,
209.)
In describing his journey in a letter to Major Mason, thirty-five
years after the event, Williams writes: "I was sorely tossed for
one fourteen weeks, in a bitter winter season, not knowing what
bread or bed did mean." The expression "sorely tossed," and in
EARLY SETTLERS AND ANNALS 15
another place "steering my course," have led some to conclude that
his journey was by water (Bliss, History^ p. 17); but in view of
tlie extreme diflSculty of a sea voyage in a small boat around
Cape Cod in the heart of winter, and the prospect of meeting the
pinnace sent to arrest him, taken with what he wrote in answer
to a letter of John Cotton of his being **so exposed to the mercy
of an howling wildernesse in Frost and Snow," and also that he
". . . at last suffred for such admonitions to them, the miserie of
a Winter's Banishment amongst the Barbarians" (Doc, Hist, R, /.,
pp. 9, 10), most recent writers conclude that his journey led him
on foot through the wilderness where his sufferings were such that
he might well use the above terms "tossed," "steered," etc., in a
figurative sense. There is a vague tradition that he spent part
of the winter at the house of a Mr. Smith at Pontipog, now
Stoughton (Doc. Hist. R. /., p. 10). Some think he spent the
winter as the guest of Osamequin at Sowams (in Old Swansea),
where his entertainment, however cordial, might be without
"bread or bed." Li the spring, probably in April, he obtained of
Osamequin a grant of land in Old Seekonk, afterwards Rehoboth.
The spot in Seekonk where he pitched his tent is believed to have
been at "Manton's Neck," below the modern Philipsdale and not
far from the mouth of the Ten-Mile River, where a spring of cold,
sweet w^ater still bubbles up and supplies the family living on the
premises. The place is marked by a tablet suitably inscribed and
fixed to a tree by the roadside. Here Mr. Williams, supposing
he was beyond the jurisdiction of both the Massachusetts 13ay and
the Plymouth (colonics, hoped to rcnmin undisturbed.
Here he "began to build and plant," but was not destined to
reap. He .soon received a friendly message from Governor Winslow
of Plymouth informing him that Seekonk was within their patent,
and advising him to cross to the other side of the river where
the country would be free before him. "And then I should be
out of their Claim and be free as themselves and loving neighbors
together."
He was jirobably at Seekonk from about the middle of April to
the latter ]>art of June, 1030. As a letter written by him to
(lovernor Vane was dated at Providence, July 26, we infer that
he must have moved before that date. He embarked in a canoe
accompanied by Tlionuis Angell. A tradition handed down from
Stephen Hopkins, Esq. (1707-1785), declares there were no others,
16 HISTORY OP REHOBOTH
nor is there any hint of their landing on the west bank of the
river at the foot of Williams Street, but ''when they came oppo-
site the cove now called What Cheer Cove they were hailed from the
shore by one of the Indians who understood a little English by
the friendly salutation of What Cheer^ from which Circumstance
the Cove has ever since been called What Cheer Cove, so named
in the early records of the town — ^That Mr. Williams made signs
to the Indians that he would meet them on the Western shore of
the Neck of Land, on which they (the Indians) then were —
Going himself, in a canoe, by water, round Fox Point, which he
accordingly did an<l met the Indians at the famous Rock and
Spring mentioned by Governor Hutchinson in his History of
Massachusetts, a little Southwesterly from the Episcopal Church."^
{Doc. Hist., pp. 18, 19.) The other tradition that there were five
or six in the canoe and that they landed on a slate rock has little
or no historical value. There was indeed a large rock of slate on
the west bank of the river, which was long ago broken in pieces
and buried by the filling in of the cove. The land nearby, between
Williams and Power Streets, was reserved for a memorial square,
in which stands a neat monument of granite in honor of the
supposed landing of Roger Williams and is inscribed as follows:
(West front) 'The Landing Place of Roger Williams."
{East front) "Below this spot then at the water's edge stood the
rock on which according to tradition Roger Williams, An exile
for his devotion to Freedom of Conscience, landed 1636."
{North front) "And having a sense of God's merciful Providence
unto me in my distress called the place Providence, I desired
it might be for a shelter of persons distressed for conscience.
Roger Williams."
{South front) "To the memory of Roger Williams, the Apostle of
Soul Liberty, Founder of the State of Rhode Island and Provi-
dence Plantations, This monument is dedicated by the Provi-
dence Association of Mechanics and Manufacturers, 1906."
The colony thus settled near the mouth of the Moshassuck
River on lands purchased by Williams of the Sachems, Canonicus
and Miantonomi, would seem from the meagre records to have
consisted of Roger Williams, William Harris, John Smith the
miller, Francis Wickes, Thomas Angell, Joshua Verin, and William
Arnold and their families.
Here, with this little company as a nucleus, was to be tried "the
lively experiment" of a pure democracy. In 1643 Williams went
' St. John's Church on North Main Street.
EARLY SETTLERS AND ANNALS 17
to England to procure a charter for his colony, returning with it
the following year. In 1651 he again visited England on business
of the colony and continued tliere until 1654. On his return he was
chosen President of the colony (1654, 1657-58).
He refused to persecute the Quakers, but engaged in a famous
controversy with them in 1672, recorded in his publication:
George Fox digged out of his Burrotoes ( 1 676) . He died at Providence
in 1683, not far from eighty years of age.
We have seen that Roger Williams in his early ministry was
fond of controversy, rash in statement and fearless of consequences.
As he would fellowship none who opposed his teachings he has
been called "The Arch Separatist." He suffered for his opinions
and especially for his sharp manner of expressing them. His
intemperate zeal, l^wever, was tempered by the bitter experiences
of his exile and the heavy burdens of subsequent leadership. It
has been well said that his banishment was his enlargement. His
spirit of toleration grew rapidly with the necessity of its exercise,
and in founding a city and state he determined that all should
enjoy liberty of conscience. One phase of his greatness is seen in
his masterly diplomacy with the Indians, securing the life-long
friendship of Osamequin and the Narragansett Sachems, who for
the love they bore him made him sole proprietor of extensive land
rights.
By the initial deed he associated with him in joint ownership
"twelve of his loving friends with power conferred to add others."
That he had a genuine missionary spirit is seen in the fact that
he studied the language of the Indians and learned their customs
while living at Plymouth; "my sole desire," he writes, "was to do
the natives good."
In intellect he was keen and vigorous; brilliant in argument and
magnanimous in spirit. In respect of liberty of conscience, he,
like his esteemed contemporary. Dr. John Clarke of Newport, was
a whole generation in advance of his age. His name is written
high among the worthy fathers of New England.
Among his writings are "A Key to the Language of New Eng-
land" (London, 1643), "The Bloody Tenet of Persecution for the
Cause of Conscience discussed" (1644), "The Hireling Ministry
None of Christ's," Ix>ndon (1652).
2
18 HISTORY OP REHOBOTH
See Memoirs by Knowles (1834), Gammell (1845), Elton (1853),
Guild (1866), Dexter (1876), Straus (1894), Carpenter (1909),
Chapin (1916).
The real founder of Rehoboth was the Rev. Samuel Newman.
He was the son of Richard Newman, a glover of Banbury, Oxford
County, England. He was liom about the 10th or 12th of May,
1602. He graduated at Trinity College, Oxford, with its honors,
Oct. 17, 1620, at the age of eighteen. After studying Theology,
he became pastor of the Midhope Chapel in the West Riding of
Yorkshire, where he remained for ten years. In 1635, disgusted
with the religious persecutions of Archbishop Laud, he came to
America in company with a large number of emigrants, among
whom was Rev. Richard Mather. He resided four years at Dor-
chester and was chiefly engaged in writing his Concordance to the
Bible. In 1639 he became pastor of the church at Weymouth, re-
maining till the spring of 1643-4. At that time the majority of his
church, with others of Hingham, migrated with him to a place
on the east bank of the Pawtucket River, called by the Indians
Seekonk, to which he gave the name of Rehoboth, a scriptural word
meaning enlargement (Gen. 26: 22).
[With few exceptions the annals and documents which follow are
taken from Blisses **History of lleliobothy For the account of King
Philippe War, the Revolutionary War in part^ atid for all subsequent
chapters^ the present writer alone is responeible,]
From the quit-claim deed of Philip, given in 1668, we learn
that the first purchase of land, afterwards included in the original
town of Rehoboth, was made of Osamequin, more commonly
known to the English by the name of Massassoit, in 1641, by John
Brown and Edward Winslow of Plymouth. (See deed p. 65.) This
tract of land comprised the present towns of Rehoboth, Seekonk,
the first and second wards of Pawtucket, and East Providence,
R.I., and is about ten miles square. It had been granted by
Plymouth Court, as appears from the records of the Rehoboth
proprietors, to certain persons (probably of Hingham) for the
settlement of a town, and Mr. Brown and Mr. Winslow were
appointed agents to purchase it for the colony.
"Whereas the Court of Plymouth was pleased, in the year 1641,
or thereabouts, to grant unto the inhabiUmts of Seaconk {alias
Rehoboth) liberty to take up a trackt of lands for theare com-
EARLY SETTLERS AND ANNALS 19
fortablc siibsistancc, containing llic quantity of eight niilos square;
and the Court was pleased to appoint Mr. John Browne and Mr.
Edward Winslow for to purchase the foresaid trackt of land of
Asainecum> the chief sachem and owner therof, which accordingly
hath beene effected, and the purchase paid for by the foresaid in-
habitants, according to the Court order," &c. {Proprietors* Rec-
ords, vol. I, p. 1.)
No deed of this purchase is on record, but there is a deposition
of John Ilazell on the Plymouth Colony Records (Vol. II, p. 67),
taken Nov. 1, 1642, which confirms the purchase: "John Hasell
[Hazell] affirmeth that Assamequine chose out ten fathome of
beads^ at Mr. William's and put them in a basket, and affirmed that
he was fully satisfied therewith for his land at Seacunck; but he
stood upon it that he would have a coat more, and left the beads
with Mr. Williams and willed him to keep them untill Mr. Hubbard
came up." "He affirmeth the bounds were to Red Stone Hill
VIII. miles into the land, and to Annawamscoate VII. miles
down the water." No record or deed from the colony to the town
at this time is to be found on the Plymouth Records; but ref-
erence to, and acknowledgment of, a grant of this land to several
individuals is made in the confirmation deed of the colony in 1685:
"Whereas Mr. Daniel Smith, as agent of the town of Rehoboth,
answered at this Court, and showed, declared and made appear
unto this Court by several writings and records, that the bounds
of the said town of Rehoboth are as followelh : The first grant of
the said township being eight miles square, granted in the year
1641, unto Mr. Alexander Winchester, Richard Wright, Mr. Henry
Smith, Mr. Joseph Pecke, Mr. Stephen Paine, and divers
others, for the settling of a town, which is now bounded from
Puttukett river," etc. The same thing is repeated in the quitclaim
deed of William Bradford, son of Governor Bradford, to the town,
in 1689. This deed, after speaking of grants of land having been
made to different townships, says: "Among others, in the year
of our Lord 1641 [Gov. Bradford] granted to Joseph Peck, Stephen
Paine, Henry Smith, Alexander Winchester, Thomas Cooper,
gent., and others with them, and sucli otliers as they should asso-
ciate to themselves, a tract of land for a plantation or township,
formerly called by the natives Secunke, upwards of forty-five years
* Delicate shells strung like beads and called wampum, the Indian currency.
In 1041 this bead money was worth 5 shillings the fathom. Ten fathoms
therefore amounted to £2. lOs. English money, which was the cost of the
township, in addition to which the chief made them throw in a coat.
20 HISTORY OP REHOBOTH
since settled and planted, now called and known by the name of
Rehoboth." These deeds will be taken notice of, and extracts
made from them, when we come to the years in which they were
given. The people, whose names are mentioned in both the above
extracts as grantees, were of Hingham. (See Lincoln's Hist, of
Hingliam, pp. 42-48.)
Although the town liad been purchased of the Indians, and
granted to a number of individuals for the purpose of making a
settlement, it does not appear that any general and permanent
settlement was made here earlier than about the year 1643. We
find, however, one individual residing at "Seacunck" as early as
1642. This was John Hazell, whose deposition relative to the sale
of "Seacunk" by Osamequin has been already given. He was
then residing at "Seacunck" (Nov. 1, 1642), and we find further
mention made of him at the same Court in November:
"John Hassell [afterwards written Hazell in the Town Records]
doth acknowledge himself to owe the king, to be leveyed of his
lands, goods and chattells, &c. £XX. if he fayle in the condicon
following: The condicon that the said John Hassell shall either
take the oath of allegiance to the King, and fidelitie to the Govern-
ment, betwixt this and March Court next, or els remove his dwell-
ing from Seacunk." {Plym. Col. Rec.^ vol. II, p. 67.)
The £20 which he acknowledged himself to owe the king was
a fine for contempt of Court, as appears from the following:
"August 2, 1642. It is ordered that a warrant be sent to fetch
John Hassell, that lives at Sickuncke, to answer his contempts at
the General Court : which was made and signed by all the assistants
present." {Plym. Col. Rec.^ vol. II, p. 55.)
John Hazell continued to reside at "Seacunck," where he had
lands granted him in 1669. And he appears to have owned largely
before, for, in describing the bounds of the grant, mention is made
of "his other allotment, being six hundred acres, bounded on the
east with his fresh meadow and a little run of water and a cedar
swamp; on the west side Patucet river; on the north side the
woods; on the south side the towne land; only the Island and little
upland above mentoned is part of the six hundred acres." {Plym.
Col. Rec, vol. II, p. 193.)
"Seacunck," we have seen, was first granted to people of Hing-
ham; but they were soon joined by Mr. Newman and the majority
of his church at Weymouth, in their projected settlement; and
EARLY SETTLERS AND ANNALS 21
it is even possible that some of the people of Weymouth were among
the original grantees of 1641, though none of them are among the
names mentioned. It appears, however, that those whose names
are given were a committee acting for "themselves and divers
others."
The first meeting of the original planters of Rehoboth to be found
on record, is dated at "Weinioth the 24th of the 8th month^
[October], 1643." The record is as follows:
**At a general meeting of the plantores of Seacunk, it was ordered,
"(1) That the [illegible] lottes shall not exceed the number of
sixty and five, and in case anny of those that have these lottes
granted already fale, that Goodman [illegible] of Cambridge to
be admitted of he please; and in case so manny fale as may
limit to sixty, then not to exceed sixty lottes.
"(2) It is agreed that the ground that is most fit to be planted
and hopefull for come for the present to be planted and fenced
by such as possess it according to [illegible].
**(3) It is ordered that those that have lottes granted and are
[illegible] inhabitants shall fence the one end of their lottes and
their part in the comon fence, in the same time, by the 20th
day of April next, or else forfit their lottes to the disposal of the
plantation; and likewise to remove themselves and family to
inhabit [torn off] by this time twelvesmonth, or else forfite their
lottes againe to the plantation, allowinge them their necessary
improvements, as they in their discretion shall think meet.
"(4) That if anny damages shale fale out by anny man's partic-
ular fence, the owner of the fence shale pay the damage, and if
[torn off] generall fence, then those persons that one the fence to
pay [torn off.]" {Rehoboth Rec., vol. I, p. 1.)
The next meeting of the proprietors was held at Weymouth,
"the 10th day of the lOlh month" (December), when regulations
were made as to the planting of corn. The teacher to have a
certain portion from each settler. Servants, after four years, to
be inhabitants and entitled to their privileges. Richard Wright
employed to build a corn-mill.
During the year 1643, and probably before any other division
of land had been made other than for house-lots, the proprietors
were required individually to give in the value of their estates,
in order that the allotments of land might be made accordingly,
as appears from the Proprietors' Records:
"About the year 1643, a joynt agreement was made by the in-
habitants of Sea-conk alias Rehoboth, ffor the bringing in of their
*Tliis Is 01(1 Style. The yenr then coiiiinenced the 25th of March. See
note on page 58.
22
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
estates; that soe men's lotments might be taken up according to
person and estate, as alsoe for the carrieing on of all publick
chardges both for present and future; furtheremore the means
and interest of what is heare expressed is that by which lands,
now granted by the Court of Plymouth to the towne, is to be
divided according to person and estate, as is expressed in this
following list.
.1
1. Mrs. Bur
Ruth Ingram ac-
cepted in her place
2. Widdow Walker
3. John Read
4. John Cooke
which atill is in the I
town's hands. )
5. The Schoolmaster
6. Will Cheesbrook
7. Mr. Winchester
8. Richard Wright
0. Mr. Newman
10. Will. Smith
11. WalUr Palmer
12. James Clark, )
now John Perrum's. (
13. Ralph Shephard,
now
James Redewa ve's.
14. Zachariah Roads
15. John Mathewes
16. John Perrum
17. John Millar
18. Samuel Butterworth
19. George Kendrick
20. Abram Martin
21. The Teacher
22. Kdwanl Scale
23. John Browne
24. Mr. Ilowward
25. Mr. Peck
26. Mr. Obediah Holmes,
now
Robert Whenton
27. Edward Smith
28. Job Lane, now
Robert Abell's.
20. Thomas Hitt
30. James Walker,
now John ffitche's.^
31. Thomas BIyss
es, )
£ a, d.
100 00 00
50 00 00
300 00 00
300 00 00
50 00 00
450 00 00
105 00 00
834 00 00
330 00 00
106 10 00
419 00 00
71 00 00
121 10 00
50 00 00
40 00 00
67 00 00
69 10 00
50 00 00
50 00 00
60 10 00
100 00 00
81 00 00
50 (M) 00
250 00 00
535 00 00
100 00 00
252 00 00
50 00 00
101 00 00
50 00 00
153 00 00
32. The Governor's
lot, now
Richard Bullock's.
33. Isaack Martin,
now
Thomas Wilmot's.
34. Robert Morris
35. Edward Bennet,
now
Rich. Bowen's, Jr.
36. The Pastor
37. Mr. Henry Smith
38. Mathew Pratt
30. John Megff's
40. Thomas Clifton.
now
Stephen'Payne's, Jr.
41. Joseph Torry, )
now John Peck's. )
42. Tho. Cooper
43. Robert ffullor
44. John Allen
45. Ralph Allen
46. Edward Gillman. )
now Joseph Peck's. (
47. Tho. Houlbrook
48. Will. Carpenter
40. John Houlbrook, )
now Nicholas Ide's. )
50. Robert Titus, )
now Robert Jones's. )
51. Will. Sabin
52. Stephen Payne
53. Mr. Browne
54. Edward Patteson,
now
John Woodcock's.
55. Peter Hunt
56. Robert Martin
57. Robert Sharp,
but now
Rice Leonard's.
58. Richard Bowen
£ s. d,
200 00 00
50 00 00
04 10 00
134 10 00
100 00 00
260 00 00
230 00 00
120 00 00
160 00 00
134 00 00
367 00 00
150 00 00
156 00 00
270 00 00
306 00 00
186 10 00
254 10 00
186 10 00
150 10 00
53 00 00
535 00 00
600 00 00
50 00 00
327 00 00
228 10 00
106 00 00
270 00 00
(Proprietors* Records, vol. I, p. 1.)
At a meeting of the proprietors of Seekonk (the date of which
is torn off, though it was probably among the first), it was voted
^Instead of a capital letter, the small letter is frequently doubled.
EiVRLY SETTLERS AND ANNALS
23
tliat nine men should be chosen to order the prudential affairs of
the plantation, who should have power to dispose of the lands
"in lots of twelve, eight, or six acres, as in their discretion they
think the quality of the estate of the person do require." This
applied to house-lots. It was further ordered, **that all other lots
to be divided according to person and estate. One person to be
valued at £12 sterling in the division of lands, and that no person
should sell his improvements but to such as the towne shall accept
of"; also voted, "that the meeting-house shall stand in the midst
of the town."
On "the 21st of the 4th month" (June), a town meeting was
held, but the records of it are so mutilated as to be mostly
illegible. It appears, however, to relate to a new division of land.
It was resolved that on every fortieth day a meeting should be
held by all the inhabitants "for the consideration and acting of
such necessary affairs as concern the plantation."
"At a town meeting, the 31st day of the 4th month [June],
1G44, lots were drawn for a division of the woodland between the
plain and the town. Shares were drawn to the number of 58 as
follows :
1. Mr. Winchester,
2. Mr. Leonard,
3. Peter Hunt,
4. William Chceshorough,
5. Ralph Allin,
6. John Ilolbrook,
7. John Perrani,
8. The Schoolmaster,
9. Matthew Pratt,
10. William Carpenter,
11. Ephraini Hunt,
12. Siinincl Hnttcrworth,
13. Edward Patterson,
14. James Browne,
15. Richard Bowin,
16. Mr. Newman,
17. Mr. Peck,
18. Walter Palmer,
19. Abraham Martin,
20. John Sulton,
21. Robert Morris,
22. John Matthewes,
2A. Issac Martin,
24. James Walker,
25. Robert Titus,
26. Edward Scale,
27. George KcMidrick,
28. [illogiblc],
29. Thomas Bliss,
30. The Pastor's,
31. Stephen Payne,
32. Edward Smith,
33. WilHam Smith,
34. James Clark,
35. The Governour,
36. Edward Bennett,
37. Obadiah Holmes,
38. Mr. Browne,
39. Thomas Cooper,
40. Thomas Holbrooke,
41. Thomas Hitt,
42. John Allin.
43. John Meggs,
44. William Sabin,
45. Mr. Henry Smith,
46. Zachery Roades,
\7, Edward Gilman,
48. Thomas Clifton,
24 HISTORY OP REHOBOTH
49. Joseph Torrey, 64. Mr. B [illegible] ,
50. Thomas Dunn, 55. The Teacher,
51. Robert Martin, 56. John Cooke,
52. Widow Walker, 57. Ralph Shepard,
53. John Miller, 58. John Reade."
On "the 3d of the 5th month [July], 1644,'* the inhabitants
signed a compact in the following words:
"This combination, entered into by the general consent of all
the inhabitants, after general notice given the 23d of the 4tli
month.
"We whose names are underwritten, being, by the providence
of God, inhabitants of Seacunk, intending there to settle, do
covenant and bind ourselves one to another to subject our per-
sons [torn off], (according to law and equity) to nine persons, any
five of the nine which shall be chosen by the major part of the
inhabitants of this plantation, and we [torn off] to be subject to all
wholesome [torn off] by them, and to assist them, according to
our ability and estate, and to give timely notice unto them of any
such thing as in our conscience may prove dangerous unto the
plantation, and this combination to continue untill we shall sul)-
ject ourselves jointly to some other government.
Walter Palmer,
Edward Smith,
Edward Bennett,
Robert Titus,
Abraham Martin,
John Matthewes,
Edward Sale,
Ralph Shepherd,
Samuel Newman,
William Cheesborough, Alex. Winchester,
Richard Wright, Henry Smith,
Robert Martin, Stephen Payne,
Richard Bowen, Ralph Alin,
Joseph Torrey, Thomas Bliss,
James Clark, George Kendricke,
Ephraim Hunt, John Allen,
Peter Hunt, William Sabin,
William Smith, Thomas Cooper.
>>
John Pcren,
Zachery Rlioades,
Job Lane,
"The 12th of the 5th mo. [July], 1644. At a meeting upon
public notice given, it is ordered tliat such as shall have allot-
ments in the three divisions of lands presently to l)e laid out by
Mr. Oliver and his partner, Joseph Fisher, and shall not pay the
./
EARLY SETTLERS AND ANNALS 25
surveying of it, by the 28th of the 8th month [October], next, at
Boston or Dedham, according to the proposition of Mr. Oliver,
sliall forfeit all such lands laid out in the three aforesaid divis-
ions, into the hands of the nine men entrusted with the town
affairs, who are desired to undertake with Mr. Oliver to satisfy
him for the laying out of the aforesaid divisions.
**It is further ordered, the day above written, that Will. Chees-
borough is to have division in all lands of Seakunk for a hundreci
and fifty-three pounds besides what he is to have for his own pro-
portion, and that in way of consideration for the pains and charges
he hath been at for setting off this plantation."
"At a general meeting of the town of Seacunk, being the 9th of
the 10th month [December], 1644, at lawful warning given, by
reason of many meetings and other strong causes for the easing
of the great trouble and for the [illegible] and the deciding of con-
troversies between party and party, as well as the proposing of
men's levies to be made and paid, and for the well ordering of
the town affairs, as may stand with future equity, according to
our former combination, the inhabitants of said place have choose
these men here named:
Alexander Winchester, William Smith,
Richard Wright, Stephen Payne,
Henry Smith, Richard Bowen,
Edward Smith, Robert Martin."
Walter Palmer,
The first meeting of these townsmen, as they were styled, was
on "the 3d day of the 11th mo. [January] 1644," when they voted
to give Robert Morris, "in consideration for the spare lot he hath
taken," the first lot in the next division.
•The 26th of the 10th mo. [December] 1644, at a meeting of
the town it was ordered, that, for time past, and for time to come,
that all workmen that have or shall work in any common work,
or shall work for any particular men, shall have for their wages
for each day's work as foUoweth: for each laborer, from the first
day of November until the first day of February, ISd. a day, and
for the rest of the year 20d. a day except the harvest, that is to
say while men are reaping harvests.
"It is ordered that the work of 4 oxen and a man for a day
[torn off], shilling and sixpence; and that for 6 oxen and a man
seven shillings; and for eight oxen and a man, eight shillings."
"The 10th of the lltli mo. [January] 1644, at a meeting of the
townsmen it was agreed upon that all those that are underwritten
have forfeited their lots for not fencing, or not removing their
families according to a former order, made the 24th of the 8th
month, 1643; therefore we do enter upon them for, and in the
26 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
behalf of the town, to be disposed of as the town shall think meet,
only paying them for their necessaiy diarges, according to a
former order:
Ralph Shepherd, John Meggs,
James Browne, Thomas Cooper,
Mr. Leonard, John Sutton,
Mr. Peck, Edward Gihnan,
Obadiah Holmes, Tho. Hollmwke,
James Walker, John Holbrooke,
- The Govemour*s lot, Mr. Browne,
Matthew Pratt, Edward Patteson,
Thomas Dunn, Ephraim Hunt.
"It is ordered, the day and year above written, at a town
meeting, that all men that have lots granted upon the nedc of
land, shall fence so much fence as the number of his acres cometh
to, by the 15th day of the 2d month, or pay 2s. for eveiy rod that
shall not be fenced.
"It is ordered that no man shall fall any tree or trees within the
space of eight rods of the road and of house-lot, upon the forfeit
of &s. 8d. for every tree fallen without the consent of the owner
of the lot.
"It is agreed that Edward Bennett shall have the ground that
his house standeth upon, and so much of the breadth of the
ground as he hath railed in to the edge of the hill towards the
brook."
•The 17th day of the 12th mo. [Februaryl, 1644, at a town
meeting it was agreed upon, that whoever hath not convenient
land to plant, for present getting of com, shall be allowed to
plant so much as they can break up this year, and shall have it
six years, and then to fall to the town again, eitlicr upon Manton*s
neck or else upon the back side of the lots on the south-east side
of the town."
'The 26th of the 12th mo. [February], 1644, at a meeting of
the townsmen, Richard Wriglit, Richard Bowen, Alexander Win-
chester, Walter Palmer, William Smith, Edward Smith, being
present, it is ordered that the recording of any man's land in the
town book shall be to him and his heirs a sufficient assurance
forever.
*The same day it is ordered that no man's lands shall be re-
corded until he shall bring to the Town Clerk a note for his lands,
butted and bounded."
It will be observed that the records thus far bear the date of
"Seacunk" or "Seakunk." Though the proprietors purchased
their land of the Plymouth Colony, yet it appears from the com-
pact signed by them on l)econiiiig "inhabitants of Seacunk," that
EARLY SETTLERS AND ANNAI^ 27
they considered themselves independent of any jurisdiction but
their own, though they were afterwards claimed by both Plymouth
and Massachusetts Bay. In 1645, they submitted themselves to
the jurisdiction of the Plymouth Court, or, rather, were assigned
to that by the Commissioners of the United Colonies, and were
incorporated by the Scripture name of Rehobotht — a name selected
by Mr. Newman; for, said he, ** the Lord hath made room for ti?.'*
Next on the town records follow the registers of the lands of
the proprietors. Here we find the following names: Mr. Alex-
ander Winchester, Mr. Howard, Peter Hunt, William Chees-
borough, Ralph AUin, John Holbrooke, John Peram, the School-
master, Matthew Pratt, William Carpenter, Samuel Butterworth,
Edward Patteson, James Browne, Richard Bowen, Mr. Samuel
Newman, Mr. Peck, Abraham Martin, John Sutton, Robert Mor-
ris, John Matthewes, John Fitch, Robert Titus, George Kendricke,
Rolwrt Sharp, Thomas Bliss, The Pastor, Stephen Paine, Edward
Smith, James Clarke, William Smith, The Governour, Edward
Bennett, Obadiah Holmes, Mr. John Browne, Thomas Cooper,
Thomas Holbrooke, Thomas Hett, John Allin, John Meggs, Wil-
liam Sabin, Henry Smith, Zachary Roades, Edward Gilman,
senior, Thomas Clifton, Joseph Torrey, Widow Walker, Richard
Ingram (now Ingraham), The Teacher, Thomas Loring, Ralph
Shepherd, John Reade, John Miller, Richard Wright.
Baylies, in his Memoir of Plymouth Colony, has inserted Robert
Fuller in the above list, but the date of the registry of his land is
not till 1652, though it stands on the record in the place he has
assigned to it. The name of Thomas Wilmot (now written Will-
marth) is also found in the same list, though I am confident that
there were none of that name in town at so early a period as 1645;
and another name appears to liave been erased, and this written
over it in a handwriting of more modern date.
"The 16th of the 1st mo. [March], 1645, at a general meeting
of the towne upon public notice given, it was agreed that all the
fence in the general field shall be fenced by the 23d of this present
month; and whosoever shall be negligent, and not repair or set
up his fence by the day above written, shall pay sixpence for every
rod deficient, and the damage that shall come to any man by the
same.
"The same day, the men after mentioned were made choice of
to view the fences and to judge of the sufficiency of them, viz:
Richard Bowen, Robert Titus, William Smith, Captain Wright,
28 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
Alexander Winchester, Thomas Bliss, Stephen Payne and Thomas
Cooper.
''The same day were made choice of for townsmen those men
whose names are underwritten, for one whole year, viz:
Mr. Browne, Thomas Cooper,
Stephen Payne, William Carpenter,
Mr. Henry Smith, Edward Smith."
Robert Martin,
'The 16th of the 1st mo. [March], 1645, it was agreed upon by
the towne that the towne shall be divided into two parts for the
making of the foot bridges and the keeping of them, and the high-
ways leading to them to be done by the whole town; the division
to begin at the Widow Walker's and so on to Will. Carpenter's
and so on to half; and Robert Martin and Thomas Cooper were
made choice of to be surveyors to oversee the work."
"29th of the 2d mo. [April], 1645, at a town meeting it was
agreed upon that if any person or persons shall be lacking in
[illegible] to the number of six months shall pay I2d. for every
default, to be laid upon their goods and chattelb.
"The same day, Richard Bowen, Walter Palmer, Stephen
Payne, Rol)crt Martin, William Car|)cnter, and Peter Hunt were
made choice of to hear the grievances of all those that their
meadow is defective, and give allowance to every man according
as they in their discretion shall think meet, both in fresh meadow
and salt, when they have viewed the meadows that are yet un-
lotted, and shall give to every man as they shall fall by lot.
"It is agreed that they shall lay out lots to those that have not
according to their estate. That they shall begin at the upper end
of the meadow next to the fresh water. That if there shall not
prove fresh meadow enough to satisfy all that want fresh meadow,
that then for them to give salt for fresh. It is agreed that these
six, or any four of them, shall determine of any of those particulars
above mentioned."
"The 28th of the 3d mo. [May], 1645, at a meeting of the towns-
men, Richard Wright, Richard Bowen, Walter Palmer, Mr. Henry
Smith, Mr. Winchester, William Smith, and Edward Smith being
present, it is ordered that a levy shall be made and forthwith
gathered, of I2d. on each £lOO estate, to be paid either in butter
at 6c2. a lb. or in wampum: and it is also concluded that Robert
Titus and William Sabin shall be collectors of said revenue."
"The 31st of Maie, 1645, at a meeting of the town upon public
notice given, Stephen Payne and William Carpenter were chosen
to go to Plymouth, to the Court, to certify the town's minds."
"The 2d of the 4th mo. [June], 1645, at a general meeting of the
town upon public notice given, it was agreed upon that Walter
Palmer, William Smith, Mr. Newman, Alexander Winchester,
EARLY SETTLERS AND ANNALS 29
William Cheesborough, and Richard Wright, if they will, shall
lay down their lots of salt marsh, where it was cast by lot, and
shall have their lots in the new meadow.
"Those whose names are above written have layed down their
lots, and are appointed to have their lots in the new meadow;
and whensoever the town shall dispose of those lots that they
leave, whoever shall purchase them shall pay unto them 6d. an acre.
"It is agreed that those men that were chosen the 29th of the
2d mo. [April], 1645, to recompense those that have not sufficient
salt marsh and fresh, shall view the new meadow by John [illegible]
house, and if they see it meet, shall allow it to Richard Wright
in lieu of so much salt marsh.
"It is agreed that Robert Martin shall have the lot in the wood-
land plain that was laid out to Mr. I^onard, being the second lot."
"The 9th of the 4th mo. [June], 1645, at a meeting of the town
upon public notice given, those seven men underwritten were
chosen to order the prudential affairs of the town for half a year,
viz:
Mr. John Browne, sen. William Cheesborough,
Stephen Payne, Mr. Alexander Winchester,
Richard Wright, Edward Smith.
Walter Palmer,
"The same day lots were drawn for the great plain, beginning
upon the west side; and he that is first upon the west side shall be
last upon the east."
The lots were drawn by the following persons, in the following
order, viz:
1. Stephen Payne, 20. John Cooke,
2. Widow Walker, 21. Mr. Browne,
3. Robert Martin, 22. William Cheesborough,
4. Edward Oilman, 23. Ralph Allin,
5. Ralph Shepherd, 24. James Browne,
6. Richard Wright, 25. The Governour, -
7. Abraham Martin, 26. William Smith,
8. The Teacher, 27. John Sutton,
9. Will. Carpenter, 28. Job Laine,
10. Robert Titus, 29. Thom. Cooper,
11. Walter Palmer, 30. Thomas Bliss,
12. James Walker, 31. John Peram,
13. Alexander Winchester, 32. Joseph Torrey,
14. Samuel Butterworth, 33. John Holbrooke,
15. William Sabin, 34. James Clarke,
10. Thomas Hitt, 35. Edward Sale,
17. Edward Smith, 36. George Kendricke,
18. Edward Bennett, 37. Mr. Leonard,
19. Thomas Clifton, 38. Richard Bowen,
30 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
30. Edward Patteson, 40. The Solioolinustcr,
40. John Reade, 50. Mr. Peck,
41. John Matthews, 51. Richard Ingram,
42. Matthew Pratt, 52. Isaac Martin,
43. Robert Sharpe, 53. John Allin,
44. Ephraim & Peter Hunt, 54. Mr. Henry Smith,
45. Zachary Roades, 55. Mr. Newman,
46. John Meggs, 56. The Pastor,
47. John Miller, 57. Obadiah Holmes,
48. Thomas Holbrooke, 58. Robert Morris.
"The 28th of the 5th mo. [July] 1645, at a town meeting, it
was agreed upon, that a rate of 10«. in every £100 estate should
be levied upon every man, upon his land and goods."
*The 20th* of the 10th month [December], 1645.
''Whereas there was a second agreement made with the Indians
for their full consent in their removing from Wannamoiset, and the
value of fifteen pounds sterling to be paid them, or thereabouts
in several commodities: it was in several town meetings ex-
pounded that if any one man would pay that particular purchase,
they should have that land, with twelve acres lying at Wache-
moquit cove, and so much more land at Wanamoyset as should
be thought worth the payment of the same. Afterward Richard
Bowen, Robert Martin, Stephen Payne, by the appointment of
the rest of the townsmen, viewed and laid out that neck of land
called and known by the name of Wannamoyset neck, from the
salt water where the Indians had formerly made a hedge, ranging
unto the north end of the Indian field and so round about the said
Indian field unto the salt water. Whereupon, the 20th of the 10th
month, 1645, Mr. John Brown, in a town meeting, did promise
and undertake to pay the said purchase in consideration that the
said lands to belong to him and his heirs and assigns forever.
And it was further agreed upon in the said town meeting that in
all divisions of lands that was, or hereafter should be made, that
what proportion should fall to his share after the rate of £300
estate should l)e laid forth to him, adjoining to the aforesaid lands
on the farther side of the town, or towards the salt marsh, or so
as may be both least prejudicial to the town or to himself, saving
that 44 acres upon the Wachemoquit neck already allotted him
to be part of the same; and he doth farther agree to accept of
ten acres of salt marsh where he mowed this year, formerly
allotted to him in full of all meadow land belonging to the town;
and doth further promise, that when the rest of the townsmen
shall fence the rest of their lands already allotted on Wachemoquit
neck, he to fence his part with them, and to bear his part in town
charges after the aforesaid sum of £300 estate; and he doth further
'Baylies says "20th/* but incorrectly: the manuscript is plain and cannot
be mistaken.
EARLY SETfLERS AND ANNALS 31
promise not to make any such fence so far into the salt water upon
the westerly side of Wanamoyset neck as shall bar out hogs from
coming, nor fence the south point of the said neck a quarter of a
mile on the west side of the said neck."
"26th of the 10th month [December] 1645, at a meeting of the
townsmen, it was voted that the house-lot and the rest of the ac-
commodations that was laid out for John Sutton, forasmuch as he
hath not come to live amongst us, nor fulfilled the order agreed
upon, and bearing date the 24th of the 8th month 1643, be granted
to William Devell"
It was also voted the same day, "that a fence shall be made be-
tween the Lidian lands, at the marked tree, from sea to sea, by
the last day of the 2d month next, and the fence of five rails to be
laid out by Robert Martin and Edward Smith and 2 more, and
they shall begin at the east side of the neck, and so to the west.
WaJter Palmer shall do the first fence, Abraham Martin the
second, and so accordingly as the house-lots fall in order round
the to\m;* and if any man shall fail, or be negligent to set up his
fence by tlic day fixed, he shall forfeit for every rod not set up,
two shillings, to be employed for the use of the town by the towns-
men, [one line here illegible] and those that are employed for the
setting up the fence shall have an abatement in their fence so
much as comes to their labor."
**The 15th of the lltli month [January] 1645, at a general meet-
ing of the town upon public notice given, it was agreed upon that
a fence shall be made, to fence in the land upon the neck, that is
laid out to be planted, by the 15th day of the 2d month next;
and whosoever shall be negligent, and not set up so much as cometh
to their part of good sufficient fence, shall forfeit for every rod not
set up by the day mentioned, 1 shilling 2d, a rod, and the damage
that shall come thereby."
**The 23d of the 4th mo. [June] 1646, at a general meeting of
the town, Stephen Payne, William Carpenter and Walter Palmer,
were made choice of to view the fence upon the neck; and in
case they find any not to be sufficient, that they shall give pres-
ently notice to those that own the fence, and give them a sufficient
time for mending it, as they in their discretion shall think meet;
and, if that it be not sufficiently mended by the time set, then
they shall pay 2s, 6d. for every rod deficient, to be employed for
the setting up of said fence, and they shall pay all damages that
shall come by the defects during the neglect."
"The 8th of the 8th mo. [October] 1646, at a general meeting
of the town upon public notice given, it was agreed that John
'The town was built in a semicircular form, around what is now Seekonk
Common (the south extremity of the plain), with the meeting-house and par-
sonage in the center: the semicircle opening towards Seekonk, or Pawtucket
River. This circle was afterwards called "The Ring of the town," or "The
Ring of the Green."
32 HISTORY OF REHOBOTII
Doget shall have all the lands that were laid out for John Megges;
and, because there was no lot laid out for him upon the great
plain, it was agreed upon, that he shall have both his allotments
according to the estate, upon the great plain, and to begin upon the
south side.
"At the same time it was agreed that the townsmen shall make
a rate to get the town out of debt, and also a rate so much as shall
build a meeting-house.
"At the same time it was agreed that whosoever shall kill a
wolf or wolves, he shall have 20«. for every wolf, and to be levied
upon the heads of beasts, geese and hogs."
"The 13th of the 10th mo. [December] 1646, at a meeting of
the townsmen, it was agreed upon, that if any cattle shall be
found either in the planting fields of Wachemoquit, or in the wood-
land plain, so long as any corn is growing upon it, without a suffi-
cient keeper, he [the owner] shall pay I2d, for every beast so found;
and it shall be lawful for any person or persons, that shall find
any cattle in said fields to bring them to the pound, and take the
forfeiture: and if the owner of the cattle shall find any man's
fence not sufficient, it shall be lawful for him to recover the damage
of him that owns the fence, provided that there be 8 or 10 acres
in the field.
"It was agreed that if any man shall take down any general
fence, or any man's particular fence, upon any occasion, and
shall not set it up again as sufficiently as he found it, he shall
pay for every time so left 12d, besides the damage that shall come
thereby.
"It was agreed upon that all general fence in the town shall be
kept up sufficiently, and whosoever shall be found deficient shall
forfeit I2d. for every rod, besides the damages: this order to take
place by the first day of the first month next."
"The 7th of January, 1646, John Hazell sold unto William
Devill the house which he, the said William Devill, now dwelleth
in, and the house-lot," &c.
"The 20th of the 11th mo. [January] 1646, at a general meet-
ing of the town upon public notice given, it was agreed upon
that no man shall mow any part of the salt marsh that is upon
the Wachemoquit neck; and, if he shall hire, shall forfeit ten
shillings for every acre so mowne.
"It was agreed upon that John Peram shall have a platt of
meadow that lyeth near Manton's neck, in satisfaction of his
meadow, so far as it shall be thought fit by those that are to view
the defect of the meadow."
'The 9th of the 12th mo. [February] 1646, at a meeting of the
townsmen, were made choice of, to view the fence of the town
lots, those persons following, viz: William Carpenter and llobert
EARLY SETTLERS AND ANNALS 33
Titus, William Smith and John Dogget, Stephen Paine and
Thomas Cooper, Thomas Bliss and Alexander Winchester.
"The same day it was agreed that Edward Sale, John Dogget,
William Sabin, John Peram, and William Thayer, shall have leave
to set up a weier upon the cove, before William DevilFs house,
and one upon Pawtucket river; and they shall [illegible] the
[illegible] of them during the [illegible] of [illegible] provided that
they hinder not either English nor Indians from fishing at the
falls in either place; and they shall sell their alwives at 2^. a thou-
sand, and their other fish at reasonable rates; and they shall
make their weieres so as shall not hinder the passage of boats,
and that no man shall fish above their weier with any draft net:
provided if they set not up their weier in a twelvemonth, that
it shall be lawful for any man else to set up a weier upon the
same terms."
"The 18th of the 12th mo. [February] 1646, at a meeting of
the towne it was agreed to draw lots for the new meadow, and to be
divided according to person and estate, only those that were under
£150 estate to be made up 150. They were drawn as foUowelh:
1. Robert Sharp, 24. WiUiam Sabin,
2. Nicholas Ide, 26. Robert Wheaton,
3. Isaac Martin, 26. Thomas Bliss,
4. Mr. Newman, 27. Widow Bennet,
5. Thomas Clifton, 28. Mr. Henry Smith,
6. Ralph Allin. 29. Edward Smith,
7. Robert Fuller, 30. Ademia Morris,
8. Edward Sale, 31. John Peram,
9. Joseph Torrey, 32. Peter Hunt,
10. John Fitch, 33. John Miller,
11. Abraham Martin, 34. Richard Ingram,
12. Walter Palmer, 35. Mr. Alexander Winchester
13. William Devill, 36. George Wright,
14. Edward Gilman, 37. Zachary Roades,
15. Richard Bowin, 38. George Kendricke,
16. Robert Titus, 39. John Matthewse,
17. Robert Martin, 40. John Dogget,
18. Widow Walker, 41. Robert Abell,
19. George Robinson, 42. William Carpenter,
20. Thomas Cooper, 43. Mr. Peck,
21. Obadiah Holmes, 44. John Allin,
22. Stephen Paine, 45. Will. Cheesborough,
23. James Redwaie, 46. William Smith."
•The 28th of the 2d mo. [April] 1647, George Wright sold
unto William Dogget, all his rights, privileges and immunities,
consisting of his house and house-lot of seven acres, seventeen
acres in the woodland plain, a lot upon the great plain, and 15
rods of fresh meadow lying in the forty-acre meadow."
34 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
'The 26th of the 3d mo. [May] 1647, at a general meeting of
the town upon public notice given, Stephen Paine and Wdter
Palmer were chosen to be committees for the Court. At the same
time Thomas Cooper and Thomas Clifton were chosen to be
grand-jury-men for this year. And at the same time William
Smith was chosen constable for this year; and Thomas Bliss and
Robert Titus were chosen supervisors of the highways for this
year; and Mr. Browne, Mr. Peck, Stephen Paine, Mr. Winchester,
Richard Bowen, William Carpenter, and Edward Smith, were
chosen townsmen for the present year."
At the same meeting, cattle were prohibited from the planting
grounds of Wachemoquit, on a fine of I2d. per head.
'^be 28th of the 4th mo. [June] 1647, the towne gave to John
Titus the lot before granted to Matthew Pratt; and also gave to
John Woodcocke the lot before granted to Edward Pateson."
"The 29th of the 7th mo. [September] 1647, at a general meeting
of the towne upon public notice given, the island of salt marsh,
that lyeth in the river between the neck of land belonging to the
town and Mr. Henry Smith's salt marsh, was given to Richard
Ingram, in lieu of an allotment of salt marsh.
"At the same time a parcel of salt marsh that lyeth in Edward
Smith's land in the woodland plaine was given to Edward Sale.
"The same day it was ordered that no man shall keep any
gates upon any common, or any man's property but his own,
within three miles of the town, after the first day of the 6th month
next, upon penalty of five shillings for every goie so kept."
"The 24th of November, 1647, at a meeting of the townsmen it
was agreed that every inhabitant that hath a team shall work
with his team and one man four days in a year at the highway,
and every inhabitant that hath no team shall find a sudicicnt
labourer four days in a year, being lawfully warned by the super-
visor of the highway; but if the supervisors in their discretion
shall see more need of labourers than of teams, that those that
have a team shall send two labourers instead of their teams,
being so warned of the supervisor."
"The 4th of the 11th mo. [January] 1647, at a meeting of the
town upon public notice given, the residue of the allotment that
was given unto Matthew Pratt, he not having remained in town,
was given unto Richard Bulok" (now written Bullock).
"The 13th of the 11th mo. [January] 1647, Ademia Morris,
executor to Robert Morris, sold to Nicholas Ide his home lot."
*The 3d of the 12th month [February] 1647, at a general meet-
ing of the town upon public notice given, it was agreed upon
that every inhabitant in the town, that hath land upon the wood-
EARLY SETTLERS AND ANNALS 35
land plain, shall meet together at his alotment, and set up suffi-
cient stakes for bound marks to his land, upon the second day
in the second month next: and it was ordered that the drum shall
be beat up near the meeting-house as a signal for each man to
repair to his lot.'*
At the same meeting it was also ^'agreed upon. Whereas it hath
pleased the Court of Plymouth to give us power to try all manner
of differences by way of action between party and party, that is
under the value of ten pounds, that there shall be four Courts
kept every year, upon the several days following, viz: upon the
last Thursday of the third month, upon the last Thursday of the
sixth month, upon the last Thursday of the ninth month, and upon
the last Thursday of the twelfth month. And it is agreed that
the jurors shall have sixpence apiece for every case tried by them.
"It is ordered that the constable shall have 6d. for every jury
warned by him, and 6d. for attending upon the jury for every
action."
"The 12tli of the 2d mo. [April] 1G48, at a ccncral meeting
of the town upon public notice given, John Allin was chosen
constable for the year following, and John Dogget and Robert
Titus were chosen deputies for the towne, and Joseph Torrey
and Robert Sharpe were chosen grand-jurymen, and John Miller
and John Peram were chosen supervisors of the highways, and
Mr. Browne, Mr. Peck, Richard Bowin, Stephen Paine, William
Carpenter, William Smith were chosen townsmen.
"At the same meeting it was agreed upon that there shall be
added to the row of lots from Thomas Clifton's to Robert Titus's
lot 2 rods out of the common; and it shall begin at a notching
at the outside of Thomas Clifton's lot, and so go on to 2 rods;
but, if it be not prejudicial to the highway, it shall begin at 2
rods wide throughout."
"The 18th of July, 1648, the towne gave to Roger Ammidowne
a house-lot between Walter Palmer's house-lot and the mill,"
besides a piece of salt marsh and other lands.
"The 11th of the 11th mo. [January] 1648, at a general meeting
of the town upon public notice given, Mr. Peck and Stephen Paine
were chosen assistants to assist Mr. Browne in matters of con-
troversy at Court.
"It was agreed that the townsmen shall make a levy for the
finishing of the meeting-house, and for the county tax and to set
the town out of debt.
**The lot that was given unto George Robinson, being for-
feited into the town's hands, was given unto John Sutton, he pay-
ing unto George Robinson his necessary charges laid out upon it."
"The 11th of the 3d mo. [May] 1649, at a general meeting
of the town upon public notice given, it was agreed upon that
36 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
William Devill shall be constable for the next year; Stephen
Paine and Robert Titus were chosen de{Hities for the Court;
Thomas Cooper and Obadiah Holmes were diosen grand juiy-
men; and Richard Bowen and Robert Sharpe were diosen sur-
veyors of the highways/*
""July 12th, 1649, at a general town meeting upon public notice
given, it was agreed upon that there should be a dilligent acmh
made to find out the nearest and most convenient way between
Rehoboth and Dedham; and Mr. Browne and Stephen Paine
were chosen to compound with the survevcHs, and to agree for
such help as should be requisite for him or them to have.**
'The 24th of the 4th mo. [June] 1650^ at a town meeting, those
men underwritten were chosen townsmen for this year:
Mr. Browne, Richard Bowen,
Mr. Peck, William Smith,
Steph. Payne, Robert Martin.
Tho. Cooper,
''At the same meeting the town gave permission to these men
chosen to call a town meeting so often as need shall require.**
"The 10th mo. pOecember 1650, the county rate was agreed on.*'
At the same meeting 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 any that shall have occasion to pass from town to Provi-
dence, or to Mr. Blackstone*s.**
"The 15th day of the 1st mo. [March], 1651, at a towne meeting,
it was agreed on that Peter Hunt should accompany Mr. Browne
to PlymouUi to make agreement about the Indian complaints.*'
'The 19th day of the 3d mo. [May], 1651, chosen deputies
Stephen Payne and Richard Bowen, for the Court at Plymouth;
Walter Palmer and Peter Hunt to be grand juiymen. Surveyors
for the highways, William Smith and John Read."
"The 18th of October, 1651, these were chosen townsmen, vis:
Mr. Browne, Thomas Cooper,
Mr. Peck, Richard Bowen,
Stephen Payne, Robert Martin.
Peter Hunt,
"At the same time Peter Hunt was chosen Town Clerk.'**
"26th of the 12th mo. 1651. It was agreed on that Robert
Abell and Richard Bullock should bum the commons round
^Here « new h«ndwriting Appeara on the records, nnd the chnrncters used
become much modernised.
"This is the first mention made in the records of any one being chosen for
this office. The records back to July 12, 1649, and those that follow the date
of Mr. Hunt's election appear to be in the same handwriting.
EARLY SETTLERS AND ANNALS 37
about, from the Indian fence, all on the neck, to the new meadow
near, and so far about the fresh meadows as may be convenient;
and they arc to have 20s. for their pains, and to begin the 15th
of March next, and to be paid out of the first rate."
**The 3d mo. [May] 1652. The townsmen counted with John
Reed for two rates, one for the Indians pay, being £7 lOs.; and
the other a county rate, being £5 Is. 8d. The Indian rate due in
his hand of wampum, at 8 a penny, 18^. 2d. Of the county rate
remains due from the town from him 14s. 2d. Then bought of
John Reed two muskets for the town's use, cost £2 8^., and to be
set oflF in the rates that he did owe to the town."
"The 24th of the 3d mo. [May] 1652, at a town meeting being
lawfully warned, Stephen Payne and Thomas Cooper were chosen
deputies; Walter Palmer was chosen constable; Henry Smith and
Robert Fuller grand jurymen; and Joseph Pecke and Jonathan
Bliss way- wardens."
"June the 11th, 4th mo. 1652. It was voted, that by the assent
of the town then present, and being lawfully warned, that those
lots which lie beyond the lot of Goodman Mathew should remain
to the ox-pastor,* and henceforth not be lotted."
•*The 9th of the 7th mo. [September] 1652. At a town meeting
being lawfully warned, those men whose names are underwritten
were chosen raters, to make a rate of 20 pounds for to buy a barrel
of po\^der and two muskets, 4 swords, match and lead, bandoleers
or porchers :
Mr. Peck, Thomas Cooper,
Peter Hunt, John Reed,
John Peram, John Allin.
"It was also agreed on at the same time, that wheat should be
paid at 4^. 6d. the bushel, or good wampum at eight the penny,
for buying of those things above expressed."
**The 28th of March, 1653, it was concluded and agreed upon,
that Robert Abell should have three acres of meadow on the
north side of the line, next the town, next the line that parteth
the land of the purchasers and the town of Rehoboth. This
meadow was given them by Mr. Prince, Captain Standish and Mr.
Winslow."
*The 13th of the 3d mo. [May] 1653, at a town meeting law-
fully warned, those were chosen, viz: Stephen Payne and Thomas
Cooper, deputies; William Sabin and Joseph Pecke, grand jury-
men; Robert Martin, constable; Richard Bowen and Thomas
Redway, overseers of the ways."
'This lay northeast of Seekonk Common, between the new road from
Seekonk to Pawtucket and the Pawtucket or Seekonk River, and extended as
far down on the river as Manton's Neck. It is still known by the name of
"the Ox Pastor."
38 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
'There were chosen at time of training, Peter Hunt for
anty and John Browne for Enaign."
This is the first notice found in the records of the appmntment
of military officers. This company is said to have been commanded
for some years by a Lieutenant, and to have been styled "a
Lieutenant's company," the number of members not being large
enough to entitle it to a higher officer.
'The 25th of October, 1653, at a town meeting lawfully warned,
the following men were chosen raters for the sums of the county
[>ay, viz: Stephen Payne, Richard Bowen, William Smith, Wil-
iam Carpenter, senior, and Peter Hunt.
**At the same meeting it was agreed on b^ the town, that the
Indians should have 4 pounds in wampum, m recompence of the
damage they have suffered in their com by hogs and horses, this
two years; and the wampum to be paid out of the wampum which
remains in Walter Palmer's hands."
"At a town meeting lawfully warned, the 12th of December,
in the year 1653, voted that the price of com should be 5«.,
wheat 5«., rye 4«., and Indian com Skr. (provided that the com be
current and merchantable com.)
"At the same time those men were chosen to be townsmen, vis:
Mr. Brown, Thomas Cooper, William Smith,
Stephen Payne, William Carpenter, Robert Martin."
Richard Bowen,
"The 10th of the 11th mo. [January] 1653. Voted that the
Indians that kill any wolves are to be paid out of the rate by the
constable."
*The 22d of the 12th mo. [February] 1653. At a town meeting
lawfully warned, Stephen Payne, senior, and Thomas Cooper,
senior, were chosen deputies, to be present at Plymouth, at the
next Court in March, to performe the business there that the
warrand doth require, in behalf of the town, with full power in
that behalf."
"The 10th of the 3d mo. [May] 1654, Stephen Payne, senior,
and Peter Hunt were chosen deputies for the Court; Anthony
Perry and John Allin were chosen grand-jurymen; for constable,
Stephen Payne, jr. or Mr. Peck; for surveyors of the highways,
William Carpenter, senior, Cieorge Kendricke and Stephen
Payne, jr."
"The 22d of the 3d mo. [May] 1654, were chosen for military
officers, Peter Hunt, for Lieutenant; John Brown, jr. for Ensign,
and allowed to stand by the Honourable Bench at Plymouth
Court."
EARLY SETTLERS AND ANNAI5 39
"The 15th of the 7th mo. [September] 1654, at a town meeting
lawfully warned, there were chosen raters for the making of the
county rate, and for a town rate for the present debts, viz: Stephen
Payne, Richard Bowen, Peter Hunt, John Reed and Robert
Martin.
"At the same time Richard Bowen was chosen Town Clerk."
*The 28th of June, 1654. Were chosen for the considering of
such lands as shall be recorded in the town books, for the clearing
the rights of any person, Mr. Peckc, Thomas Cooper, John Allin,
Stephen Payne and Richard Bowen."
"The 21st of July, 1654. At a town meeting lawfully warned,
Stephen Payne, sen., and Peter Hunt were chosen deputies for
the attendance of the Court in August next."
"The 13th of the 10th [December] 1654. At a meeting of the
townsmen it was agreed on that the price of corn for to pay the
town debts [something here appears to have been omitted] that
wheat should pass at 5a*., rye at 7s, and Indian to pass at 3«."
"The 1st of the 12th mo. [February], 1654, at a town meeting
lawfully warned, it was agreed and voted, that Mr. Browne
should have for his use four square rods of ground to build a house
on, something near the meeting-house.
"At the same time Robert Abell was ordered to keep the
Ordinary."
"In the year 1655,* the 22d of the 1st mo. [March] at a town
meeting lawfully warned, it was agreed upon by vote that the new.
highway towards the bay shall be perfected, and that is should
be done under the inspection of Goodman Payne and Goodman
Carpenter."
"In the year 1655, the 17th of the 3d mo. [May], at a town
meeting lawfully warned, Stephen Payne, sen., and Peter Hunt
were chosen deputies; for constable, Stephen Payne, jr.; for grand-
jury-men, Philip Walker and Jonathan Bliss; Richard Ingraham
and John Fitch were chosen way-wardens."
At the same time it was voted, "that there shall be no common
grass mown before the last of June; and, in case any do transgress
this order, it shall be lawful for any that know it to fetch away
the hay or grass so cut, without any damage to them."
"June the 26th, 1655. At a town meeting it was agreed upon
that Mr. Newman, our teacher, should have fifty pounds a year;
and those seven men whose names are hereto appended were
chosen committees for the levying of a rate according to person
and estate for the raising of said maintenance:
> Baylies has 1654; this in old style is correct.
40 HISTORY OP REHOBOTH
Joseph Peck, Robert Martin,
Thomas Cooper* Peter Hunt,
Richard Bowen, Will. Sabin.'*
Stephen Payne,
''At this period," says Baylies, "so much indifference as to
the support of the clergy was manifested in Plymouth Colony
as to excite the alarm of the other confederated Colonies. The
complaint of Massachusetts against Plymouth, on this subject,
was laid before the Commissioners, and drew from them a severe
reprehension. Rehoboth had been afflicted already with a serious
schism, and by its proximity to Providence and its plantations,
where there was a universal toleration, the practice of free inquiry
was encouraged, and principle, fancy, whim and conscience, all
conspired to lessen the veneration for ecclesiastical authority.''
(Hist, Memoir of Plym. CoL^ vol. II, p. 205.)
The schism here referred to was caused by Obadiah Holmes
and several others withdrawing themselves from Mr. Newman's
church, in 1649, and setting up a separate meeting of their own.
The following statement embodies all the known facts respecting
Mr. Holmes and his withdrawal from the Newman Church:
Obadiah Holmes was a native of Preston in Lancashire, Eng-
land. The date of his coming to America is uncertain, but he
was admitted to the church in Salem, March 24, 1639. From this
church he was excommunicated and removed with his family to
Rehoboth. His name appears on the Rehoboth records as early
as 1644. He became a member of Mr. Newman's church in 1646.
Taking offence at certain teachings in this church, he and eight
others withdrew in 1649 and formed what they called a new church
of the Baptist order. They chose Mr. Holmes as their minister
and were rebaptized, probably by Rev. John Clarke of Newport.
Mr. Newman, angered and troubled by this defection, excom-
municated them and stirred up the civil authority against them.
Four petitions were lodged at court against them, one from
Rehoboth, one from Taunton, one from the ministers of the colony,
and one from the Massachusetts government. The Plymouth
magistrates merely ordered them to desist from practices dis-
agreeable to their brethren and to appear at the next term of
court, when several of them were indicted for holding meetings
contrary to the order of the court.
Soon after this Mr. Holmes removed to Newport, where he
succeeded Dr. John Clarke, minister of the First Baptist Church,
EARLY SETTLERS AND ANNALS 41
in 1652. Some of the Rehoboth party ivent with him and the
others were scattered for the time.
One experience of Mr. Holmes should not be omitted. In the
year 1651, he, with John Crandall and John Clarke, went to Lynn»
and on July 21 held a meeting in a private house. During the
service they were arrested and haled before the court at Boston
and fined, Clark twenty pounds and Crandall five pounds.
Mr. Holmes was fined thirty pounds, which he was required to
pay promptly or be well whipped. Having the strong approval
of his own conscience, he refused to pay or allow his friends to
pay the fine, and was publicly whipped in September, 1651, re-
ceiving thirty lashes from a three-corded whip. Two friends,
John Hazell and John Spur, coming up to congratulate him on his
fortitude, were each sentenced to pay forty shillings or be whipped.
Mr. Holmes died at Newport, Oct. 16, 1682, aged 76 years,
and was buried in his own field, where a tomb was erected to his
memory. He had eight children, and in 1790 his descendants
were estimated at five thousand.
February 9th, 1655, Mr. Peck, Richard Bowen, senior, Stephen
Paine, senior, Thomas Cooper, senior, Robert Martin , William
Carpenter, senior, and Peter Hunt, were chosen Townsmen. "It
was also granted that they shall have power to order the prudential
affairs of the town, and that they shall have power to call a town-
meeting when they see cause.
''At the same time Father Bowen was chosen Moderator to
see good order in our town-meetings."
By the following extract from the records of Plymouth Court,
it will be seen that Mr. John Browne, a principal inhabitant of
Rehoboth, and for a long time one of the Governor's Assistants,
was opposed to coercing people to support the ministry, although
he was willing to contribute his full proportion.
"Whereas, a petition was presented unto the General Court,
at Plymouth, the first of June, 1655, by several of the inhabitants
of the town of Rehoboth, whose hands were thereunto subscribed,
desiring the Court to assist them in a way according to the orders
of other Colonies about them, for the raising maintenance for their
minister; the sum of the petition seemeth to hold forth that those
whose hands were not subscribed contributed nothing, or so little
as was not esteemed of, which petition occasioned some discourse
about a forcible way to compel all the inhabitants of that town
to pay a certain sum every year towards the maintenance of the
minister. Whereupon Mr. John Browne, one of the magistrates
^ f l^iO EAKATA
42 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
then sitting in Court, and being one of the inhabitants of that
town, and not being made acquainted with the said petition
until the names of the inhabitants were subscribed; to issue the
said troublesome controversy, and take off tlie odium from others,
did propound that forasmuch as those whose hands were to the
petition desired to submit themselves to a rate, that if the Court
would send two of the magistrates unto Ilehoboth to take notice
of the estates of the petitioners, he would engage himself in the
behalf of those who were the inhabitants of the said town, whose
hands were not subscribed to the petition, that they should
voluntarily contribute according to tneir estates; and if any of
them fell short in this business, he would supply that want of his
own estate; and this he would make good by engaging his lands
for seven years in their behalf, while they staid, though he himself
should remove from the place, which was approved of, and Captain
Standish and Mr. Hatherly were then made choice of by the
Court to see it ordered accordingly."
In 1655, "Liberty is granted by the Court to the neighborhood
in which Mr. Brown liveth at Rehoboth to make a pound to em-
pound all horses or hogs that shall trespass upon them."
(Plym. Col. Rec., vol. Ill, p. 84.)
Plymouth, July 3, 1656. "Robert Abell is allowed by the
Court to keep an ordinary at Rehoboth."
"The Court have appointed and deputed Mr. Joseph Pecke
to administer marriage at Rehoboth." "And the said Mr. Pecke,
Mr. Stephen Paine, and Richard Bowen are appointed and author-
ized to hear and determine all controversies there between any,
so as it amount not to above the value of three pounds; liberty
being left to any to make their appeal to the Court of Plymouth,
if there shall be reason." (Plym. Col. Itec^ vol. Ill, p. 102.)
July 13th, 1657. Voted, "That all such persons, or any person
that is behind hand in their accounts with Mr. Newman for this
year present, that they shall make up their accounts with Mr. New-
man by a month after Michaelmas; and in case it be neglected, then
such townsmen as may be deputed, together with the deacons
also, to go to such persons and labor to convince them of the
neglect of their duty; in case they find them obstinate, then the
Court order is to be attended on."
Ij^t I November 20th, 1757. Stephen Paine, senior, was chosen to
assist Deacon Cooper, "to go to certain the inhabitants of the
town, to put them on to clear their accounts with Mr. Newman."
"It was also agreed that there shall be a town-meeting this day
fortnight, and in case it appear that any person or persons be be-
hind hand with Mr. Newman, that then some effectual course
may be taken according to Court order, to make such to pay as
EARLY SETTLERS AND ANNALS
43
have been negligent in their duty for the settling of Mr. Newman
amongst us."
It was also voted that persons neglecting to attend town-meet-
ing should be fined 6d.
:(^ IliS'^ December 9th, 1757. It was voted, "that Sampson Mason
should have free liberty to sojourn with us, and to buy houses,
lands or meadows, if he see cause for his settlement, provided
that he lives peaceably and quietly."
Sampson Mason had been, according to Benedict (IlisL Bap.^
vol. I, p. 427), a soldier in the Commonwealth's army, com-
manded by Cromwell. He became a Baptist, emigrated to
America, and, after having resided several years at Rehoboth, be-
came ultimately one of the founders of Swansea.
February 22, 1658. "The following persons are accepted as
freemen of the town, to take up their freedom, namely, Joseph
Peck, John Peck, Henry Smith, Robert Fuller, John Fitch, Stephen
Paine, Jonathan Bliss, William Buckland, Rice Leonard."
June 22d, 1658. "At a town-meeting lawfully warned, lots were
drawn for the meadows that lie on the north side of the town,
in order as followeth, according to person and estate:
1. John Peck,
2. George Robinson,
3. Robert Abell,
4. Nicholas Ide,
5. James Reddeway,
6. Jonathan Bliss,
7. Mr. Winchester's children,
8. Mr. Newman,
9. George Kendrick,
10. Stephen Payne, sen.
11. John Butterworth,
12. John Read,
13. Thomas Wilmoth,
14. John Fitch,
15. Henry Smith,
16. Will. Carpenter, sen.
17. John Millard, jun.
18. Robert Wheaton,
19. Richard Bullock,
20. Robert Martin,
21. John Perrum,
22. Richard Bowen, sen.
23. Obadiah Bowen,
24. Anthony Perry,
25. Joseph Peck,
26. John Matthews,
27. John AUin,
28. John Sutton,
29. Peter Hunt,
30. Tho. Cooper, jr.
31. Will. Sabin,
32. Philip Walker,
33. Daniel Smith,
34. John Dogget,
35. Nicholas Peck,
36. Rice Leonard,
37. Robert Jones,
38. Francis Stevens,
39. Thomas Cooper, sen.
40. John Woodcock,
41. Edward Hall,
42. Stephen Payne, jun.
43. Roger Amadowne,
44. Richard Bowen, jr.
45. Robert Fuller,
46. Will. Bucklin,
47. Mr. Peck,
48. John Willard, sen.
49. Will. Carpenter, jun.
»»
44 HISTORY OP REHOBOTH
From the expression *'the meadows that lie on the north side
of the town/* it appears that this division was of land afterwards
included in the North Purchase^ now Attleborough and Cum-
berland.
The 2d of the 9th mo. [November], 1658. The Indians were
forbidden to set their traps within the town's bounds.
'^December the 9th, 1659. It was agreed upon between the
town of Rehoboth and Lieutenant Hunt and William Bucklin
that the said Lieutenant Hunt and William Bucklin is to shingle
the new end of the meeting-house, and to be done as sufficiently
as the new end of Goodman^ Payne's house; and they are to
furnish nails, and to be done by May-day next ensuing, provided
that the frame be ready in season: in consideration whereof
they are to have £8 to be paid in good, merchantable wampum,
when their work is done."
"30th of the 11th mo. [January], 1659. Voted to agree with
Richard Bullock to perform the office of Town Clerk; to give
him 16^. a year, and to be paid for births, burials, and marriages
besides."
March 17th, 1659, the town made an agreement with William
Bucklin *'to enlarge the meeting-house the breadth of three seats
throughout, to find boards and to finish it complete and answer-
able to the rest, with seats, the town finding nails."
'"The 19th, 12th mo. [February] 1660, at a general town meeting,
Capt. Willet, Mr. Peck, Richard Bowen, Stephen Payne, sen..
Lieutenant Hunt, were chosen by the town, and empowered to
view the town book, and to see that it be transcribed into a new
book, all such things as tliey shall judge material for the good
of the town, as also for the clearing of evidences of men's lands,
according to Court orders, made in 1654."
21st of the 12th mo. [February] 1660. In town meeting it was
voted "that Mr. Willet should have liberty to take up five hun-
dred or six hundred acres of land northward or eastward, beyond
the bounds of our town, where he shall think it most convenient
for himself."
1st day 2d mo. [April] 1661. Gilbert Brooks of Scituate, had
"free liberty to be an inhabitant of Rehoboth, and to purchase
what he may, if he be minded to come among us."
In this year, Captain Thomas Willet, empowered by the Court
of Plymouth, and having obtained the consent of the town of
'This title Goodman, I have been informed, was used formerly much the
same as J/r., Matter, or Mister is with us at the present day.
EARLY SETTLERS AND ANNALS 45
Rehoboth, purchased of Wamsitta,^ or (as he is more commonly
called), Alexander, the elder brother of king Philip and son of
Massassoit, a large tract of land, which was called Rehoboih North
Purchase^ now Attleborough, Mass., and Cumberland, R.I. "It
was bounded," says Daggett, "West by Pawtucket river, now
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, and Pawtucket.
This purchase included Attleborough, Cumberland, R.I., and a
tract of a mile and a half in width, extending east and west (which
was annexed to Rehoboth as an enlargement), and a part of Mans-
field and Norton. This purchase was afterwards, viz. April 10th,
1666, granted and confirmed by the Plymouth government to the
inhabitants of Rehoboth." (Daggett's History of Attleborough^
p. 6.)
The following is a copy of the Deed of this tract from Wamsitta,
or Alexander, to Mr. Willet:
"Elnow 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 Willet, of Wannamoisett, all those tracts of land situate
and being from the bounds of Rehoboth ranging upon Patuckett
unto a place called Waweypounshag, the place where one Black-
stone 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 Willet and his associates,
their heirs and assigns forever; reserving only a competent por-
tion 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 Willet jointly together shall see meet; and
the rest of all the land aforementioned, with the woods, waters,
meadows, and all emoluments whatsoever to remain unto the
said Thomas Willet and his associates, their heirs and assigns
forever.
^The then sachem of Pokanoket. His original name was Mooanum. He
jucceeded Massassoit as sachem of the Wampanoags, and died in the summer
of 1662. His wife's name was Namumpum or Wetamoo. — See Drake's Book
of the Indians, b. 3, c. 1, pp. 1-8.
46 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
Witness my hand and seal this eighth day of April, in the year
1661.
'The mark of A X A
Wamsitta alias Alexander,
his seal [l.8.]
''Signed, sealed and delivered
in presence of
John Browne, jr.
Jonathan Bosworth,
John Sassaman, Interpreter.*'
"April 10th, 1666. Witnesseth these presents, that Captain
Thomas Willet above said hath and doth hereby resign, deliver
and make over all and singular the lands above mentioned, pur-
chased of Wamsitta alias Alexander, chief Sachem of Pokanokett,
according unto the bounds above expressed, with all and singular
the benefits, privileges, and immunities thereunto appertaining,
unto Mr. Thomas Prence, Major Josias Winslow, Capt. Thomas
Southworth, and Mr. Constant Southworth, in the behalf of the
Colony of New Plymouth. In witness whereof he doth hereunto
set his hand and seal.
"Thomas Willbt. [l.8.]
"Signed, sealed and delivered
in presence of
Daniel Smith,
Nicholas Peck."
"6th, 7th mo. [September] 1661. Lieutenant Hunt and Joseph
Peck were chosen to view the damage in the Indians' com upon
Kickamuet neck, and Consumpsit neck, and to give the town
notice of it."
The 14th of the 9th mo. [November] 1661. "Lieutenant Hunt
and William Sabin were chosen to confer with Mr. Willet to know
what he hath done about the north side of the town in the behalf
of the town."
27th of the 12th mo. [February] 1661. Samuel Luther was per-
mitted to be a sojourner to buy or hire.
"Plymouth, 1661. It is ordered by the Court that the ward
of Rehoboth shall extend unto Sowamsett' and unto all the
neighbours there inhabiting, as to the constable of Rehoboth, his
execution of his office, as occasion shall require, which he is re-
quired by his orders to do and perform, as well there as in any other
part of that constablericke." (Plym. Col. iJec, vol. Ill, p. 234.)
The 28th of the 5th mo. [July] 1662. It was voted that John
Woodcock should have two rods of land to build a small house
' Bristol or Harrington, — probably the former.
EARLY SETTLERS AND ANNALS 47
on for himself and his family to be in on the lord's day, in some
convenient place near the meeting-house; and Goodman Paine
and Lieutenant Hunt were chosen to see where the most con-
venient place for it might be."
December 16th, 1662. A fine of Is, 6d. was ordered to be im-
posed on those who neglected to attend town-meeting.
During this year the town was afflicted with the loss of one of
its most influential and useful inhabitants, Mr. John Brown. He
died April 10, 1662,* at Wannamoiset. The following notice is
made of him by Morton in his New-England's Memorial (pp
295, 296. 297) :
"This year Mr. John Brown ended this life; in his younger
years travelling into the low countries, he came acquainted with,
and took good liking to, the reverend pastor of the church of Christ
at Ley den, as also to sundry of the brethren of that church:
which ancient amity induced him (upon his coming over to New-
England) to seat himself in the jurisdiction of New Plimouth, m
which he was chosen a magistrate; in which place he served God
and the country several years; he was well accomplished with
abilities to both civil and religious concernments, and attained,
through God's grace, unto a comfortable perswasion of the love
and favour of God to him; he, falling sick of a fever, with much
serenity and spiritual comfort, fell asleep in the Lord, and was
honourably buried at Wannamoiset near Rehoboth, in the spring
of the year abovesaid."
He was first elected to the office of assistant in Plymouth
Colony in 1636, which office he ably filled for seventeen years.
He was also one of the Commissioners of the United Colonies of
New England from 1644 to 1655. The mention of this latter fact
may serve to show in what estimation he was held in the colony,
when we recollect that only two persons were chosen from each
colony to that oflSce. He was made a freeman of the colony of
Plymouth in 1634.* He was one of the original proprietors of the
town, and owned large estates in land both at Rehoboth and
Wannamoiset. Mr. Brown was a friend to religious toleration,
and was the first of the Plymouth magistrates who expressed
scruples as to the exi>ediency of coercing the people to support
the ministry. He was a man of talent, integrity, and piety, and
his death was deeply felt through the whole colony. James Brown,
who also was assistant in 1655, and lived at Swansey, was his son.
^Rehoboth Town Record of deaths and burials.
'Baylies' Hist. Mem. of Plym. Col. vol. II, p. 201.
48 HISTORY OP REHOBOTH
''Julv 3d, 1663. It was voted bv the town to send a letter to
Samuel Fuller of Plymouth, that if he will come upon trial accord-
ing to his own proposition, the town is willing to accept of him;
and in case the town and he do accord, the town is willing to
accommodate him in the best way they can for his encouragement.
'"It was also voted and agreed that his mother should be sent
to, to see if she be willing to come and dwell amongst us, to attend
on the office of a midwife, to answer the town's necessity, which
at present is great."
Mr. Fuller was a physician residing at Plymouth.
At the same town meeting, Goodman Searle was accepted as
an inhabitant, and a home lot voted to him.
In this year the town experienced a severe loss in the death of
their beloved and venerable pastor, the Rev. Samuel Newman.
He died on the 5th of July, 1663, in his 62d year. The manner
of his death was singular and awakened much comment. Just
one week before, on Sunday, June 28, he delivered his last sermon
from Job 14: 14: ''AH the days of my appointed time will I wait,
till my change come.'* Although in good health at the time he
told his astonished people that his mission on earth was closed.
He retired to his home, grew weak without pain, and the following
Sunday, July 5, with a few friends about him, he asked Deacon
Cooper to close the parting with prayer, immediately after
which he turned his face to the wall, saying, "And now, ye angek
of the Lord Jesus, come do your office,'* and gently expired.
His departure was deeply lamented by his bereaved flock and
by all who knew him. He was a fine preacher, an eminent scholar
and a truly devout man. His Concordance of the Bible was a
great work, of which there were three editions in his lifetime.
The first was published in London in 1643, in folio. This he re-
vised while in Rehoboth, ''using in the evening pine-knots instead
of candles.** The second edition was published at London in
1650, and the third in 1658. The Cambridge Concordance of
1662 was based on Newman's book with but scant credit to its
learned author, nor did he receive much pecuniary gain from any
of his books. A copy of his Concordance is in the Rehoboth
Antiquarian Collection.
Mather in his Magnolia says of Newman: "He loved his church
as if it had been his family, and taught his family as if it had been
his church." His library was burned by the Indians in the con-
flagration at Rehoboth, March 28, 1676, but Mather somehow
EARLY SETTLERS AND ANNALS 49
recovered the fragment containing the thirteen articles of his
private platform, which are as follows:
*' Notes or marks of grace, I find in myself: not wherein I desire
to glory, but to take ground of Assurance, and after our Apostle's
rules, to make my election sure, though I find them but in weak
measure.
L / love God, and desire to love God, principally /or himself.
2. I desire to requite evil urith good,
3. A looking up to God, to see him, and his hand in all things
that befall me.
4. A greater fear of displeasing God, than all the world.
5. A love of such christians as I never saw, or received good
from.
6. A grief when I see God*s commands broken by any person.
7. A mumming for not finding the assurance of God's love, and
the sense of his favour, in that comfortable manner, at one
time as at another; and not being able to serve God as I
should.
8. A willingness to give God the glory of any ability to do good.
9. A joy when I am in christian company, in Godly conference.
10. A grief, when I perceive it goes ill vnih christians, and the
contrary.
IL A constant performance of secret duties, between God and my-
self, morning and evening.
12. A bewailing of such sins, which none in the world can accuse
me of.
13. A choosing of suffering to avoid ^n."
Mr. Newman had three sons and one daughter (Hopestill).
Samuel, Jr., the eldest son, lived and died at Rehoboth ; Antipas
was minister at Wenham, who married Elizabeth, daughter of
Gov. Winthrop, and died October 15, 1672; Noah was his father's
successor in the ministry at Rehoboth and died April 16, 1678;
Hopestill, born at Weymouth, November 29, 1641, became the
wife of Rev. George Shove, the third minister of Taunton, and
died March 7, 1674. They had five children, three sons and two
daughters.
Mr. Newman was interred in the old burying ground at Seekonk /,.
(now East Providence, R.I.). A fine monument stands there,
inscribed with his name and that of his son Noah, and several
of their successors.'
In September, 1663, "At a meeting of the church and town, it
was concluded that Mr. Zachariah Symes should have forty pounds
'See S. C. Newman's "Rehoboth in the Past,** which embraces all essential
facts relating to his ancestors and has a full bibliography.
4
50 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
for this year, and his diet at Mrs. Newman's besides. At the
same time Stephen Payne, senior, and Lieutenant Hunt were
chosen to go down to his friends, to use means for the settling of
him with us for this present year."
November 2, 1663. "At a town meeting lawfully warned, those
men whose names are here following and appended, were chosen and
empowered by the town, either to buy Joseph Peck's house and
house-lot, and to set up an addition to it, to make it fit for the
ministry, if they judge it convenient for such a use, or to build
^ a new house upon the town's lands, whether they in their wisdom
shall judge to be most convenient: Goodman Payne, John Allen,
sen.. Lieutenant Hunt, Mr. Browne, Anthony Perry, Goodman
^ Walker, Thomas Cooper, jr., Henry Smith.
^ '*At the same time it was voted, that a rate should be made
to raise charges for to build a house for the ministry, when the
townsmen shall call for it; and that the price of corn for the carry-
ing on of the building of the public house shall be — Indian corn
. at 3«., rye at 4^., and wheat at bs.; and what cattle are paid to-
wards it is to be good at May-day next, or thereabouts, all horse
kind and hogs being excepted against."
"Nov. 25, 1663. Voted, that Alexander, the Irishman, a brick-
maker, should be freely approved among us, for to make brick,
and that he should have free liberty to make use of the clay and
wood on the commons for that purpose."
At the same time, "it was voted and agreed upon, that, whereas
God by his providence hath lately taken away from us our dear
teacher, yet out of his goodness and mercy hath brought amongst
us Mr. Zachariah Symes, whom we honour and respect; yet with
reference to the place we live in, we judge it expedient to look
out for another godly, able minister to labour with him in the
work of the ministry, and therefore do accept of Mr. Willet's
proposition, as to embrace any opportunity tliat Providence shall
guide him to for that end."
June 20, 1664. It was voted, "that the public house, intended
for the ministry, shall be set on the west side of the run, in the mid-
dle of the common, being the place appointed for a teacher's
lot, being six acres."
December 20, 1664. Four pounds and seventeen shillings were
voted, being the sum which Captain Willet agreed to give Philip
for growing corn in the neck, and that Captain Willet should
agree with Philip for the year ensuing.
"January 24, 1664 [1665.*] At a town meeting upon public
notice given, it was agreed by vote, that the former power that
was granted to Mr. Willet, for to procure an able minister to assist
> New Style.
EARLY SETTLERS AND ANNALS 51
Mr. Symes in the ministry, was further confirmed to him by the
town."
May 22, 1665. **Sam, the Indian that keeps the cows, was
admitted by the town as an inhabitant, to buy or hire house or
lands if he can, in case the Court allow it."
"This," says Baylies, **is believed to have been the first and
only instance of an Indian resident among the English, who was
admitted to the rights of citizenship within this colony."
Whether or not this vote was "allowed by the Court" we are
not informed.
May 22, 1665. "John Lowell was admitted by the town to buy
or hire house or land if he can."
June 6, 1665. The town voted to pay the Govemour their pro-
portion of £50; also, that there be a standing council, three in
number, with the Govemour, and that this council be renewed
yearly.
April 18, 1666. It was voted by the town, "that the late pur-
chasers of land upon the north side of our town shall bear forty
shillings in a rate of £5, and so proportionable in all other public
charges.
"It was also voted that there shall be a three railed fence set
up 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 Good-
man Buckland's lands to the Mill river; and every man that is
interested in said purchased lands to bear an equal proportion in
the aforesaid fence according to their proportion of lands.
"Voted also to make choice of a committee for the settling and
stating of the late purchased lands on the north side of our town,
viz: whether such as at present seem questionable are true pro-
prietors of the aforesaid lands: and the committee chosen were
Capt. Willet, with the townsmen, and those that stand engaged
for the payment of the aforesaid purchased lands."
This committee reported, April 23d.
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 Capt.
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 meadows to be according to the sight
of the surveyors, the day that they laid out his farm, that is.
52 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
Henry Smith and William Carpenter; and he b 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."
** April 23, 1666. The committee that was chosen by the town.
April 18th, 1666, at a town meeting, for the stating and settling
of the late purchased lands, upon the north side of our town, the
aforesaid committee being met together, this twenty-third of
April, we see cause that 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 15, 1666. In town meeting, ''It was agreed b^ joint con-
sent, that a third man alone for the work of we ministry should
be forthwith looked for, and such a one as may preach to the sat-
isfaction of the whole (if it be the will of God for the settling of
peace amongst us, according to the former renewed counsel sent
us from our honored Governor and Assistants)."
The meeting was adjourned to the 19th, to make choice of a
committee to obtain a ''third man alone for the work of the minis-
try." "Richard Bullock declared his protest against this act,
as judging it the sole work of the church."
May 19y 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 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."
"May 23, 1666. Mr. Symes was admitted by the town as an
inhabitant, to purchase or hire for his money.
"At the same time Mr. Myles was voted to be invited to preach,
viz: once a fortnight on the week day, and once on the Sabbath
day."
June 26, 1666. "Stephen Paine, senior, Mr. Browne, and Good-
man Allen were cliosen Selectmen to answer the Court order."
They were the first Selectmen chosen by the town. The Towns-
men still continued to be chosen as usual.
"August the 13th, 1666. It was voted and agreed upon by the
town that an able man for the work of the ministry shall, with all
convenient speed, l>e looked for, as an ofiBcer for this church, and
EARLY SETTLERS AND ANNALS 63
a minister for the town, such a one as may be satisfactory to the
generality.
"At the same time it was also voted and agreed upon by the
town, that Mr. Myles shall still continue to lecture on the week
day, and further on the Sabbath, if he be thereunto legally called.
"At the same time, the town made choice of Deacon Cooper,
Lieutenant Hunt, Nicholas Peck, and Ensign Smith, as messen-
gers, to look out for an able man for the work of the ministry,
according to the vote aforesaid, and they are to go in the first
place to Mr. Esterbrook's."
October 16, 1666. "At a town meeting it was concluded, that
the purchased 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 the north side of our town before
the said lands 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 the 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."
December 10, 1666. "At a town meeting it was voted and
agreed upon, that Mr. Burkley should continue still amongst us
till the first of April next ensuing, upon further trial, in reference
to the vote of August 13, — 66, which is in order to the settlement
in the ministry, if he be approved of."
The same day, Thomas Esterbrook was admitted as an inhab-
itant.
"June 22, 1667. At a town-meeting it was voted by the town
that the meadows lying on the north side of the town shall be for
this present year as they were last year."
Since the disturbances caused in the church at Rehoboth, in
1649, by Obadiah Holmes and his adherents, the religious affairs
of the town had been far from being in a quiet state; and the
number of Baptists, so far from being lessened by persecution
had been gradually increasing. In 1663 it was strengthened by the
arrival of the Rev. John Myles, with a part of his church, from
Swansea, in Wales (England), whence he had been ejected for
non-conformity. This church he had founded at Swansea (Wales)
in 1649. On their removal to this country, they brought with
64 HISTORY OP REHOBOTH
them their records, which were in Welsh,^ large extracts from which»
says Benedict, in his History of the Baptists, were made by Mr.
Backus, and sent over to Mr. Thomas of Leominster, England,
the historian of the Welsh Baptists. In 1663, Mr. Myles formed
a Baptist church in Rehoboth, the fourth formed in America.
It was organized in the house of John Butterworth, and commenced
with seven members. Their names were, John Miles (or Myles,
as more frequently spelled in the records), pastor, James Brown,
Nicholas Tanner, Joseph Carpenter, John Butterworth, Eldad
Kingsley, and Benjamin Alby. This measure was offensive to
the Congregational church of the town, and to the other churches
of the colony; and the interposition of the Court of Plymouth
was soon called for to arrest the growing schism. Each member
of this new church was fined £5, prohibited from worship for the
space of one month; and they were advised to remove from Re-
hoboth to some place where they might not prejudice any existing
church. In pursuance with this advice, they removed to Wan-
namoiset, and erected a house near Kelley's bridge, on a neck of
land which is now in the town of Barrington. Afterwards they
erected another house on the east side of Palmer's River, about
half a mile from the bridge, which is still known by the name
of "Myles's bridge." It stood a short distance from the spot
where the present house of the same church now stands. In
1667, these Baptists were incorporated into a town by the
name of Swansea.' This town originally comprised within its
limits the present town, together with Somerset, Mass., Barring-
ton, and the greater part of Warren, R.I.
Mr. Miles continued the minister of Swansea till his death,
which occurred February 3, 1683. His wife was Ann, the daughter
of John Humphrey. {Baylies* Mem. of Plym. CoL, ii, 213, 235-
*■ Benedict states that these records, in Webh, are still in the possession of
this church. The only records which that church now possesses are in Eng-
lish. These commence in 1649, at Swansea, Wales, and contain copies of
letters addressed to the church by several Baptist churches of England and
Ireland. I am inclined to think that the whole of the original Webh records
were sent to England by Mr. Backus, and there translated into Englbh; and
that a copy of the translation was returned to the Swansea church. They are
in an excellent state of preservation and written in a hand altogether too
modern for the date which they bear.
' This name has been written in three different wa^s, viz. : Swansea, Swan-
sey, and Swansey. The first is the way in which it is written in the earliest
records, and is the orthography of the town in Wales from which this derived
its name.
EARLY SETTLERS AND ANNALS 55
250; Aliens Am. Biog. and HisL Die; Backus* and Benedicts
Histories of the Baptists.)
On the 30th of March, 1668, Philip, who had succeeded his
brother Alexander as sachem of the Wampanoags, or Pokano-
kets, as they are sometimes called, confirmed to the town the
purchase of the "eight miles square," made of Massassoit, or
Osamequin, his father, in 1641, and relinquished all claim and
title to the same by giving the town a quit-claim warranty deed.
Of this deed the following is an exact copy; in transcribing it
the original orthography has been preserved.
Quit-Claim Deed of King Philip.
"Know all men by these presents that, whereas Osamequin,
Sachem, deceased, did, for good and valluable considerations,
in the year one thousand Six Hundred and forty and one, give,
grant, convey, assure ence ofTc, and confirm unto Mr. John
Brown, and Mr. Edward Winslow deceased, a tract of land of
Eight miles square, scituate, lying and being both on the East
and west sides of a river now called Palmer's river to the property
and behoof of the townsmen of Seacunck, alias Rehoboth: I
Phillip Sachem, eldest son, heir and successor to the said Osame-
quin Sachem, do hereby for my self, mine heires, assigns and suc-
cessors reraise, release, and for ever quit all manner of right, title,
claime or interest that I the said phillip Sachem have, or by any
colour or pretence whatsoever might or ought to have to the
said tract of lands Eight mile square, lying on the East and west
sides of Palmer's river aforesaid, unto Mr. Stephen Paine the elder,
Peter Hunt, John Allen, Henry Smith, and others, the select men
of the town of Rehoboth; ffor and to the use of themselves and
of all the other Townsmen of the said town, as they are respec-
tively concerned and estated therine, and to the use of all and every
of their heires and assigns for ever. And furthermore I the said
Phillip sachem do hereby firmly bind my self, mine heires, assigns
and successors to free and discharge, secure and save harmlesse
the said Stephen Pain, Peter Hunt, Jolm Allen, Henry Smith
and the select men aforesaid, and all other the Inhabitants of
Rehoboth, their heirs and assigns for ever from all former and
other bargains, sales titles, and all other incumbrances whatso-
ever had, made, done or suffered by me the said phillip sachem,
or the said Osemequin my father deceased; or hereafter to be
made, done, committed or suffered by me the said phillip sachem,
mine heires, assigns or successors. In witnesse whereof I have
hereunto put my hand and seal, the thirtieth day of the flSrst
Month, Called March, In the yeare of our lord one Thousand
Six Hundred Sixty and Eight."
56
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
"Signed, Sealed
and delivered in the
presence of
the mark of Umptakisok Counsellor.
H
the mark of phillip Counsellor.
the mark of S Sunconewhew phillip's
brother.
^^be it remembered that
Philip aknowledged be-
fore the ensealing and
deliveiy ho-eof that oa-
emequin reoeavMl full
satisfaction of the said
Mr. Brown and Bfr.
Winslow for the said
Eight mile square, and
(Tor the hundred acres,
lying on the south side
of the bounds of Reho-
both, now called by the
name of the Hundred
acres to the use of the
said town.
the mark of peebee Counsellor.
T
The mark of phillip p sachem.
the mark of X Tom Interpreter.
John Myles Junio:
John { Landon*s mark.
the mark ^^ of wm. Ilammon.
Joseph Sabin.
(seal.)
Phillip the Sachem did
acknowledge this deed,
this first of June, 1668,
Before
Jos. Winslow,
Assist."
April 10, 1668. At a town meeting "it was voted that, whereas
the select townsmen did give Philip, Sachem a gratuity at the
sealing of an evidence of our eight mile square, the sum of eight
pounds twelve shillings; that the said select townsmen shall
make a rate for the payment of it."
At the same meeting 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 committe are Anthony Perry, Philip Walker, Thomas Wilmot,
Nicholas Ide; to be paid by the whole company of purchasers."
May 13, 1668. "It was voted and agreed upon that the new
book of records should be recorded at Plymouth, this next June
Court.
''William Carpenter at the same time was chosen Town Clerk."
Voted, that the deed given by the Indians to the town "be de-
livered to the committee of the town, that they may record it
at the Court of New Plymouth, the next June Court."
EARLY SETTLERS AND ANNALS
57
Voted, "that a committee shall be chosen to draw up a petition
to send to the Court at Plymouth, the next General Court, that
we might have some redress in respect of the diflSculty of the trans-
portation of our county rates. The committee chosen, were Mr.
Stephen Payne, sen., Lieut. Hunt, and Ensign Smith, committee
to sign this petition in the name of the town."
It was also voted "that the rates upon the north side of the
town be lowered, and part taken off; that is to say, whereas the
lands upon the North Purchase paid forty shillings 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, 1668. "It was voted and agreed upon for the en-
couragement of a brickmaker, in the town, the town ordered that
if any come, he shall have free liberty of wood and clay, at the
half-mile swamp, to make what brick he will."
The same day lots were drawn for the meadow lands in the
North Purchase by the following persons:
Obadiah Uowcn,
Samuel Luther,
Stephen Paine, sen.
John Savage,
Goody Hide,
Children's lands,
Thomas Reade,
Preserved Abell,
William Carpenter,
Gilbert Brooks,
Thomas & Jacob Ormsby,
Robert Jones,
John Reade, sen.
Nathaniel Paine, sen.
Robert Wheaton,
Widow Carpenter,
Benjamin Buckland,
Philip Walker,
John Peren, sen.
John Ormsby,
Jaret Ingraham,
Nathaniel Paine, jun.
Henry Smith,
Nicholas Peck,
Jonathan Bos worth,
Samuel Carjientcr,
Richard Whitaker,
Mr. Tanner,
Stephen Paine, jun.
Jonathan Palmer,
James Ciiilson,
Rice Leonard,
Samuel Newman,
John Doggett,
Anthony Perry,
Thomas Cooper, jun.
George Kendricke,
John Butterworth,
Mr. Myles,
Richard Bowen, jun.
Mr. Newman,
Joseph Peck,
William Sabin,
Ichabod Miller, jun.
Mr. Daniel Smith,
Mr. Browne,
Robert Miller,
John Titus,
Nathaniel Peck,
George Robinson,
Robert Fuller,
John Fitch,
Thomas Willmot,
Willliam Buckland,
John Kinslye,
Jonathan Fuller,
John Miller, sen.
Joseph Carpenter,
Samuel Peck,
Sampson Mason,
58 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
James Redeway, John Allin* jun.
Nicholas Ide, John Reade, jun.
Deacon Co(^)er» John LowelU
Joseph BuckUnd, Francis Stephens,
Thomas Grant, Edward HaU
Israel Peck, John Woodcock,
Captain Willet, John AUin, sen.
Jonathan Bliss, Abraham Martin,
Lieutenant Hunt, Ovid Bullock.
Eldad Kinsly,.
During this year the Rev. Noah Newman, son of the Rev.
Samuel Newman, was settled by the church and town as their
minister.
December 4, 1668, the following vote was passed by the town
relative to his support:
''That Mr. Newman should have forty pounds a year and his
wood provided, to begin last March, for his comfortable main-
tenance, for the carrying in end the work of the ministry amongst
us. Deacon Carpenter, Lieutenant Hunt, and Goodman Roades
were chosen to see that the aforesaid order should be accomplished,
and to speak to those that are defective in their not doing their
duty."
From the above vote it appears that Mr. Newman commenced
his ministry in Rehoboth, in March.
January 1, 1668-9.' "It was voted that there should be some
land broke and fenced about the minister's house, for the planting-
of an orchard, and other conveniences; and the townsmen were
appointed to see the thing accomplished.*'
May 14, 1669. '*It was voted and agreed upon, that the house
which was built for the ministry Mr. Newman should enjoy as
long as he continues in the work of the ministry amongst us.
"It was also at the same time voted, that Mr. Newman should
also enjoy the lands, meadows, commons, &c. of the pastors and
* Style is Old and New. In Old Style the year commenced on the 25th of
March. The correction of the calendar by Pope Gregory, in 1582, was not
adopted by the British Parliament till 1751, when it was ordered that eleven
days should be struck out of September of 1752, and the third day of that
month was reckoned the fourteenth. This latter mode of reckoning is called
New Style, and the year commenced on the first of January. Before the year
1752, there was sometimes a confusion in dates, it being difficult to determine
whether January, February, and a part of March closed the year or began
another. Hence the mode of double dates, as "Jan. 1, 1668-9,*' which is 1669
New Style. And in order to find the day of the month in New Style, corre-
sponding to a given day of any month in Old Style, we must consider the
latter as eleven days in advance of the former, and add eleven days to the
present date. For instance, the 24th of March, 1668, Old Style, corresponds
to April 4th, 1669, New Style.
EARLY SETTLERS AND ANNALS 59
teachers, as long as he continues in the work of the ministry
amongst us: excepting there shall be another oflScer chosen and
settled amongst us, and then Mr. Newman is to have one of the
accommodations of pastors or teachers, and the other officer, if
ever any be joined with him, is to have the other accommodations
so long as they attend their work.
"At the same time it was voted, enacted, and agreed upon,
that, seeing it is the intention of the town to preserve the house
built for the ministry, and to keep it for that use; the town there-
fore seeth cause to engage themselves, that, if it should please God,
that by his providence he should remove Mr. Newman by death,
while he continues in the ministerial work, and should leave a
wife and family behind him; that his wife or family that he leaves
behind him, shall have four-score pounds paid to her or them,
at their leaving or removing out of the house, and the said four-
score pounds to be raised by a rate of the inhabitants of the town,
according to their several proportions. The former word family,
to be interpreted Mr. Newman's children.
"At the same time it was also voted, that Mr. Newman should
have three-score pounds a year paid him yearly, for his com-
fortable subsistence in the work of the ministry. And Mr. Stephen
Pain, senior. Deacon Cooper, and William Sabin, were chosen by
the town, desiring them to take some pains to see how it might
be raised: that if it might be, it might be raised freely; for every
person whom it concerns to contribute towards it freely; and
that thenceforward persons will take care that it might be effec-
tually accomplished; and also, that the forty pounds a year which
is past be inquired into, to see if it be accomplished; and if these
persons do apprehend that the aforesaid way will not effect the
thing, then the town are to seriously consider of some other way,
that it may be effected for the comfortable carrying on of the
worship and ordinances of God amongst us."
At the same meeting, "the town with one consent declared
by vote, that the proposition from the Court about sales of guns,
powder, and shot to the Indians, they apprehend it will be greatly
detrimental to our English interest, and therefore declare them-
selves against it."
July 29, 1669. At a town meeting it was voted "that a rate
should be made to answer the warrant from the Court; and the
raters chosen were Mr. Stephen Paine, senior. Lieutenant Hunt,
Henry Smith, Nicholas Peck, Deacon Cooper, Philip Walker.
"Voted that those that pay butter, shall pay for the trans-
portation of butter, and they that pay wheat, shall pay for the
transportation of their wheat, and they that pay money, to pay
for no transportation of either wheat or butter."
There was a rate made the 30th of July, 1669, being the first part of
the payment of the county rate, amounting to the sum of X13.3«.
60 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
November 4, 1669. "It was voted and agreed that there
should be a rate made for the purchasing of powder and lead, as
much as will make up the town stock, according to the order of
the Court, with what there is already. Mr. Stephen Paine,
Lieutenant Hunt, Ensign Smith, Philip Walker, and Nicholas Peck,
were chosen to make the rate."
December 12, 1670. At a town meeting, "Deacon Cooper,
Lieutenant Hunt, John Reade, senior, and William Sabin, were
chosen raters, to make a rate for Mr. Newman's maintenance,
according to a former vote."
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 en-
largement."
The "mile and a half," here referred to, was the subject of con-
siderable dispute between the town of Rehoboth and the pro-
prietors of the North Purchase, being claimed by both. It was
given to Rehoboth by a mere verbal grant from commissioners of
the Colony ; and was at length confirmed to them by the Plymouth
Court, in the following act of June, 1668:
'*This Court have ordered, that a tract of land, containing a
mile and a half, lying on the north side of the town of Rehoboth,
is allowed to be the proper right of the said township. And such
lands as are lying betwixt the Bay line and it, is to be accounted
within the constablerick of Rehoboth, until the Court shall order
otherwise. And that such farms as lyeth within the said liberties
shall be responsible in point of rating at the Colony's disposal."
(Plym. Col. Records,)
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. The committee were
Ensign Smith, William Sabin, and William Carpenter.
"January 9, 1670-1. At a town meeting lawfully warned, it
was voted and agreed, that Capt. Hudson of Boston, and John
Fitch (probably of Rehoboth) shall have liberty to build a ware-
house at the water side, and a wharf; and Mr. Paine, senior, and
Ensign Smith were chosen to appoint them the place and quantity
of ground for the ware-house. — ^John Dogget also had the like
liberty granted him."
May 12, 1671. "It was voted and agreed upon by the town,
that, whereas Mr. Newman's maintenance hath not reached unto
what hath been engaged unto him by the towne, that there shall
be a trial made by contribution every Sabbath day, to see whether
EARLY SETTLERS AND ANNALS 61
it may amount to his comfortable maintenance; and that the
next Sabbath day there be a trial made, and all persons whom it
concerns do bring in, the first Sabbath, for the time that is past
from the first of March last."
November 7, 1671. "It was voted that a fence be built to the
minister's house, and weather-boards put upon the house for the
preservation of it; and the townsmen were chosen to see it effected,
and also they were empowered to make a rate for the payment of
it."
May 16, 1672. **It was agreed and voted that the townsmen
are to draw up such particulars as may be necessary for the gen-
eral good of the town, as instructions for the deputies to manage
at the Court."
February 6, 1673. **It was voted and agreed that the townsmen
and Anthony Page should treat with our Reverend Pastor, Mr.
Noah Newman, respecting the house and lot that he lives in."
May 14, 1673. John Woodcock, Thomas Willmarth, Josiah
Palmer, Thomas Reade, and John Ormsby, were propounded to
the freemen at the town meeting, to take up their freedom, and
approved of.
May 20, 1673. **At a town meeting lawfully warned, it was
voted and agreed upon, that the house that our Reverend Pastor
now lives in, and the lot that the house stands upon shall be his
forever, in consideration and in lieu of the four-score pounds that
was engaged at Mr. Newman's death; and that the former act
of the town, concerning the four-score pounds, shall be invalid
when the town give our Reverend Pastor assurance of the afore-
said house and lot."
November 13, 1674. *Tt was voted and agreed upon, that to
every hundred pounds estate rate, such persons shall carry in
to our Reverend pastor half a cord of wood for his winter fire.
"It was also agreed upon, that a due proportion be made upon
the polls, for the raising of fifty pounds for our Reverend Pastor
for the present year.
"It was also agreed upon that a new meeting-house should be
built, and the townsmen were chosen to take into consideration
the business of it, and what is material to the furthering of it;
and to bring in their apprehensions the next town-meeting."
CHAPTER II
KING PHILIP'S WAR
In this tragedy involving the extinction of a race, the reader's
interest will be quickened by considering the relation of the chief
actors to each other.
Osamequin, commonly known as Massassoit, was the chief
sachem of the Wampanoags, a once powerful tribe of 3,000 war-
riors, but, a short time before the landing of the Pilgrim fathers,
much weakened by a fearful plague which swept away a large
part of the population. This tribe occupied the territory of South-
eastern Massachusetts, including all the land between Narragan-
sett Bay and Pawtucket River on the west and the Atlantic
Ocean on the east, or what is now Plymouth and Bristol Counties
in Massachusetts, and Bristol County in Rhode Island; also the
Cape Cod area, and possibly a part of Norfolk County.
Within his domain there were several subordinate tribes which
gave him allegiance, but each had its own sachem. There were the
Namaskets about Middleborough, of which Tuspaquin was chief;
the Pocassets at Tiverton and westward as far as Somerset,
of which Conbitant (or Corbitant) was chief, succeeded by Weeta-
moo, wife, first of Wamsutta, brother of Philip, then of Petono-
wowett (or Petananuit), called by the English "Ben," and also
"Peter Nunuit," who cast in his lot with the English; the Sacon-
nets at Little Compton, ruled by the "squaw sachem'* Awashonks,
a neighbor of Benjamin Church; the Nausets at Eastham on Cape
Cod; the Matachees at Barnstable; the Monomoys at Chatham;
the Saukatuckets at Mashpee; and the Nobsquassets at Yar-
mouth. The Massachusetts tribe was north of the Wampanoags
in the vicinity of Boston.
Some writers designate all these cognate tribes, even including
the Massachusetts, by the term Pokanoket, so called from the
tribal seat at Mount Hope, within the County of Bristol, R.I.
**The dominion properly belonging to the Wampanoags was
known as Pokanoket" (Bodge).
Massassoit's residence was at Sowams (now Barrington, R.I.).
One of his residences was also at Mount Hope, which afterwards
became the residence of his son Philip or Metacomct.
KING PHILIP'S WAR 63
Massassoit had two brothers, Akkompoin and Quadequina, who
were his counselors. The two of his sons known to fame were
Wamsutta (Alexander) and Pometacom, Metacom or Metacomet
(Philip). Alexander married Weetamoo, queen of the Pocassets,
and Philip married her sister Wootonekanuske. After Alexander's
death Weetamoo married Petonowowett, known as "Peter
Nunuit" or "Ben."
Massassoit had a daughter Amie, who became the wife of
Tuspaquin, chief of the Namaskets, and their daughter (Philip's
niece) married John Sassamon, who became private secretary to
Philip and betrayed him to the English.
King Philip had a nine-year-old son, who was captured by the
English and with his noble mother was sold into slavery in the
West Indies.
The Narragansetts were a large and important tribe who lived
to the west of Narragansett Bay. Their chief sachem was the
great Canonicus, who was succeeded by his nephew, Miantonomi,
and he in turn by his son Canonchet, who led his braves at Pierce's
6ght and died heroically for the lost cause of his people.
King Philip's War began on "Fast Day." June 24, 1675, in
Swansea, on the borders of Rehoboth, and ended within the
limits of Rehoboth by the capture of Annawan, Aug. 28, 1676.
Between these two dates Rehoboth was kept in an almost
constant state of alarm and suffered severely from its proximity
to Mount Hope, Philip's head-quarters. With the exception of
the garrison houses the whole town was at one time laid in ashes,
and a number of the inhabitants were, at different times, slain.
Massassoit was a wise pacifist and the abiding friend of the
white settlers, so that during his lifetime there was no serious
trouble. However much he may have felt the encroachments of
the English on his territory, he continued to surrender to them
large tracts of land for a meager compensation, and, dying in 1662,
left his sons a legacy of good-will and a good name. His eldest
son Alexander succeeded him, ]>ut died the same year under cir-
cumstances which seemed to the Indians suspicious. By the
order of succession Philip, alia,s Metacomet, the second son of the
noble Osamequin, became chief of the Wampanoags. Bliss, in
his history, sets forth vividly what he conceives to have been
Philip's motives in bringing on war.
"Things for a while wore a pacific aspect, though it is evident
64 HISTORY OP REHOBOTII
that, from his accession, Philip cherished feelings of jealousy and
hostility towards his English neighbors; and that, sensible of their
growing power and the rapid decrease of the Indians, and seeing
the inevitable fate that awaited him and his people, should the
English be left to spread themselves thus unmolested, he de-
termined to make one desperate effort to free himself and his
country by a war of utter extermination. The better to effect this
and disguise his intentions, he amused the English by professions
of friendship and submission; renewed the treaties which his
father had made; disposed of his lands, and gave quit-claims of
those before sold by his father and brother, to raise the means for
supplying his men with fire-arms and ammunition; cultivated
the friendship of the neighboring tribes of Indians, smothering
the feuds and reconciling the quarrek of centuries; and thus, by
deluding the English, and strengthening himself by increasing
his connexions and alliances, he was preparing secretly and silently
the war which was to shake New England to its center and deluge
the land with blood."
Admitting the general fairness of this presentation, we will
also look at the matter from a somewhat different point of view.
Modem writers have sharply scored the New England Puritans
for their selfish greed in dealing with the real owners of the soil.
With few exceptions, like John Eliot and Edward Winslow, they
were inclined to exploit their Indian neighbors for their own ad-
vantage. The Indian's ignorance was his weakness and his un-
doing. To the Englishman he was a heathen with no rights one
was bound to respect. "Once an undisputed lord of the lands of
his ancestors, he became an exile or an object of sordid traffic.
He saw the graves of his people robbed and defaced, and later on,
himself debauched and unscrupulously plundered." This may help
explain the growing hatred of the Indian for his white neighbor,
driving him at times to cruel reprisals.
Such bitterness and wrath was not developed in these unsophis-
ticated humans without a cause. We call them savages, but their
lives were simple and primitive before they learned the vices and
deceptive tricks of an aggressive civilization.
The statement is often made by historians that the Indians
were fairly paid for their lands. In the case of the Pilgrim fathers
at Plymouth, led by men like Winslow and Bradford, this was in
the main true. The continuance of the colony depended on the
KING PHILIP'S WAR 65
friendship of Massassoit and his people, while he on his part
needed the protection of the colony. Doubtless the treatment
of the Indian by the Plymouth Pilgrims was on the whole kind
and equitable. Had the later comers been as forbearing as these,
there would have been no bloody war to chronicle, for there was
a kindly response to such fair treatment from men like the great
Massassoit, brave old Canonicus of the Narragansetts, and the
noble Samoset, and we believe their successors might have been
won in like manner.
But the Puritan coming later with his rougher conscience began
to encroach on the Indians' rights, absorbing their hunting-
grounds, their cornfields and the streams that supplied them with
fish; and the Englishman's apology for all this was his superior
civilization, giving him, as he professed to believe, a right to the
heathen's inheritance, even as Joshua drove out the old Cana-
anitcs and took possession of their land. If the Indian gave a deed
of his lands to the Englishman, it was by an instrument of which
he had slight comprehension, the consideration for which was a
pittance, — a few fathoms of wampum, a few hatchets and coats,
and perhaps a bit of tobacco with a looking-glass thrown in. Too
often the poor savage was a modern Esau, selling his birthright
for a mess of pottage as in the case of Robin Hood, a Maine sachem,
who deeded a large tract of land on the Sasanoa for a hogshead of
com and a few pumpkins. Even old Rehoboth was bought of
Massassoit for ten fathoms of wampum, equal at that time to
fifty shillings, with a coat thrown in. Thus within two generations
the settlers had absorbed all the Pokanoket lands, until Philip
found himself and his whole tribe hemmed within the narrow
bounds of Mt. Hope Neck, with no way out except by canoe or
through his neighbor's fenced land.
Drake in his introductory chapter to '*The Old Indian Chron-
icle," remarks (p. 2) : ''Had every white inhabitant who sat him-
self down by the side of an Indian been kind and generous, dis-
covered less of avarice, and not taken pains to make himself
offensive by his unmistakable haughtiness, few cases of contention
would have arisen."
Philip had arranged that the great blow should be struck in the
spring of 1676, which would wipe out the English Colonists or
drive them from the country, but for two reasons mainly he was
forced to begin the war before his plans were matured; one of
5
66 HISTORY OP REHOBOTH
these was the impatience of the young warriors, and the other
was the treachery of John Sassamon. This bursting out of the
war nearly a year before the appointed time cost Philip the
early support of the Narragansetts, although they joined him
some months later.
As early as the spring of 1671, the English settlers became
alarmed at the evidence they discovered of warlike preparations
on the part of King Philip and they suspected that some plot was
on foot for their destruction. There is no documentary proof that
such was the case, but numerous strange Indians seen mingling
with the Wampanoags, together with Philip's reluctance to meet
the Colonists at Taunton at their request, excited their suspicions,
and they demanded that he appear before them on the 13th of
April. Thus coerced, Philip came to Taunton with some of his
sachems. Here he was met by the armed militia of the town, not
without hostile demonstrations, but after some parleying it was
agreed that a council should be held in the Taunton meeting-
house, one side of which should be occupied by the English and the
other by the Indians.
The English charged him with plotting rebellion against their
government, although the question is pertinent, as Pierce says in
his Indian History (p. 57), "how King Philip, an independent
prince and ruler of another nation, could thus rebel." He was
pressed to sign a treaty of allegiance to the King of England and
to surrender all guns and ammunition held by the Indians. Into
such straits did the hard diplomacy of the English bring this un-
tutored savage.
At this date bows and arrows had been mostly superseded by
guns, upon which the Indians had come to rely almost exclusively
for providing themselves with game for food. To be forced to give
up their chief means of livelihood which they had bought and
owned, and which if once surrendered could never be recovered,
seemed to them nothing less than robbery. But Philip, swallowing
his anger and righteous resentment at such demands, signed the
treaty known as "his submission," along with his chief captains,
and surrendered what guns his men had with them at the time;
but one can hardly believe he intended to carry out a promise
exacted under such unfair conditions.
The failure of the Indians generally to comply with these terms,
which would render them practically helpless, caused a meeting
KING PHILIP'S WAR 67
of the Commissioners of the United Colonies to be held at Plym-
outh in September of that year, which extorted from Philip the
promise to pay within three years £100 of such things as he had
and to send to the governor of Plymouth Colony five wolves*
heads yearly. This new promise, dated Sept. 26, 1671, was signed
by Philip and a few of his chiefs. A general disarming of the In-
dians was then undertaken with more or less friction, causing
hatred and a desire for revenge on the part of the Indians and
moving Philip to extend his destructive plot far and wide.
Meanwhile, the whites, thinking they had drawn the lion's
teeth, were lulled into a false security for the next three years,
when an event occurred which precipitated the war.
John Sassamon (or Sausamon) was a native of Dorchester and
the son of 'Traying Indians." He was educated by the English,
and assisted John Eliot in his translation of the Bible into the In-
dian tongue. He became a teacher at Natick, and afterwards a
preacher and missionary. He was of a restless and changeable
disposition, and when some difficulty arose at Natick, he left and
went to Mount Hope, where he became King Philip's private
secretary and interpreter and learned his most secret plans. Re-
turning after some years to Natick, he was received into full
communion and was afterwards sent as missionary to the Na-
masket Indians at Middleborough, where he received from Tuspa-
quin, their chief, twenty-seven acres of land for a house-lot, at
Assawamset Neck, now in the town of Lakeville. The chief also
gave fifty-eight and a half acres to an Indian named Felix, who
married Sassamon's daughter Betty, and the Neck where she
lived was called after her, Betty's Neck, or Squawbetiy, which it
bears to this day. Tuspaquin's wife was Amie, the sister of
King Philip, and Sassamon married their daughter. He was
fully trusted by Philip and other members of the royal family
and learned at first hand the plot to cut off the English settle-
ments. This plot he revealed to the English at Plymouth, en-
joining secrecy lest his life should be forfeited. A few days later,
Jan. 29, 1674-5, Sassamon's body was found in Assawamset pond
with wounds and bruises indicating murder. Three Indians were
arrested and executed, two of whom denied all knowledge of the
act, but one confessed. One of the three was Tobias, a counselor
of King Philip. Probably Philip, on discovering Sassamon's treach-
ery, condemned him to death after the Indian fashion. This .exe-
68 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
cution of his subjects by the English seemed to Philip a meddle-
some interference with the course of Indian justice* and so exas-
perated him that he now threw off all disguise and pushed his prep-
arations as diligently as possible. The Court, however, took
little notice of this except to forbid the lending of arms to the
Indians and to guard more carefully the frontier towns.
On the 14th of June, James Brown of Swansea went with a
friendly letter to Philip from Governor Winslow and found his
young warriors in a hostile mood. 'Teter Nunuit" (Petonowo-
wett) told Captain Church that Brown would have been killed
had not Philip prevented it, saying that "'his father had charged
him to show kindness to Mr. Brown."
On Sunday, June 20, 1675, some Indians coming into Swansea
began to annoy the English by killing their cattle and burning two
houses, hoping thus to provoke an attack, as they had the idea
that the party who shed the first blood would be finally conquered.
An Englishman, angered by their insolence, fired upon one of
them and wounded him. This was a signal for the Indians to be-
gin the onset. Thursday, June 24th, was a day of fasting and
prayer in the Plymouth Colony, and during the services at Swan-
sea the Indians pillaged several houses and later fired upon the
people returning home from church, killing one man and wounding
others. Two men who were sent for a surgeon were also killed, and
in another part of the town, called Kickemuit, six men were slain
while hauling com to Bourne's garrison, making nine Englbhmen
who were murdered in Swansea on this first day of the war. Mes-
sengers sent to treat with Philip and prevent an outbreak came
upon the bodies of the men slain in the highway, and speedily
turned back.
The people everywhere fled to the garrison-houses, whither they
carried their com and other provisions. Runners were sent to
Boston and Plymouth for assistance. In Boston, at the beat of
drums, within three hours 110 men volunteered to take the field
under command of Capt. Samuel Mosely, also Capt. Daniel
Henchman was soon on the march with his company of regulars,
and Capt. Thomas Prentice with his troop of horse.
The Plymouth people had been warned that the attack on Swan-
sea was imminent and had sent forward seventeen mounted men
from Bridgewater, who arrived at Bourne's garrison in Mat-
tapoiset (now Gardner's Neck) on June 22d. Here were col-
KING PHIUP-S WAR
lected seventy of the English, of whom fifty-four were women
and children. Tliese were later transferred to the island of Khode
Island for greater safety.
The Indians had already
taken their women and
children over to the Narra-
gansetts. The other Plym-
outh Colony troops were
assembled at Taunton and
placed under the command
of Capt James Cudworth
of Scituate, who outrank
ing the Massachusetts offi
cers, became on reaching
Swansea commander m
chief for tlie time being of
the combined forces of both
colonies.
The Massachusetts troops
leaving Boston on the 26tb,
with only a brief halt at
Woodcock's Garrison (at
^^^||*ilj|g5lg5 North Attleborough),
rived at Swansea late in the
afternoon of June 28th, and
Hon»E. VKAR uiLBs' BBiDoi^ BWANBSA thcrc joined the Plymouth
forces at Miles' Garrison,
located at the west end of
Miles' Bridge, just below
the Rehoboth line. By this
time the men, women, and
children of both Swansea
and Rehoboth hod been
placed in the three chief
garrisons.'
' Of tli« three |>rincipKl ^nrrison
houses into which the inhabit-
■nti of Rehoboth ind Swansea
were lathered at times during
Philip s War, one WBS b the Rehoboth North Purchase (now North Attle-
borough), called "Woodcock's tiarrtson"; another on Seekonk Coiomon (now
70 fflSTORY OP REHOBOTH
The inaction of the Plymouth Colony forces while awaiting the
Boston reinforcements made the Indians so bold that, in the lan-
guage of Capt. Church, "they shot down two sentinels under the
very noses of the soldiers occupying Miles* Garrison." They
were lying in wait on every side to kill all that went abroad. But
on the arrival of Capt. Prentice with his troopers, twelve of the
men under command of Corporal John Gill and Quartermaster
Joseph Belcher ventured a forward movement, and taking with
them Wm. Hammond as pilot, they crossed over to the east side
of Palmer's River, when they were fired upon from an ambuscade,
and their pilot was mortally wounded. Belcher was also wounded
besides having his horse shot under him, and a musket-ball
ploughed its way through Gill's bufF coat. So terrified were the
troopers at this their first taste of actual warfare that they fled
panic-stricken back to their quarters; and but for the bravery
of Benjamin Church, who was in the party and was wounded in
the foot, they would have left their wounded companion and their
dead pilot in the hands of the enemy.
The next morning, June 29, the troops continued their pursuit
of the Indians. Passing over Miles' bridge they swept down
through the country on the east bank of the river till they came
to the narrow part of the neck, to a place called Kickemuit, where
they found the heads of eight white men whom the Indians
had murdered and set upon poles by the side of the way. These
they took down and buried.^
East Providence, U.I.); and the third nejir Miles' DridKC in the northern
part of Swanitea. This was called "Miles' Garrison,*' from the Itev. John
Miles, the minister of Swansea, whose house was garrisoned. It stood a short
distance west of Miles' Bridge which crosses Palmer's River. Woodcock's
Garrison was named from John Woodcock, who built his house and occupied
it before the war and after it during his life, for a public tavern. This garri-
son was near the Baptist Meeting-House in North Attleborough, on the spot
afterwards occupied by Hatch's tavern.
The old garrison, after standing one hundred and thirty-six years, was torn
down, its timbers "pierced by many a bullet received in Philip's War." The
principal garrison-house at Seekonk stood on the southeast side of the Com-
mon, on the spot afterwards occupied by Mr. Phanuel Bishop's house. There
were other houses occasionally resorted to as garrisons, as that of Major
James Brown in Swansea and of one Bourne at Mattapoiset.
^At the west end of Miles* Bridge, just nouth of the Kehoboth line, is a
tablet of bronse set in a granite boulder and inscribed as follows: —
"Near this spot stood the John Miles Garrison House, the place of meeting
of the troops of the Massachusetts Bay and Plymouth Colonies commanded
by Major Thomas Savage and James Cudworth, who marched to the relief of
Swansea at the opening of King Philip's War A.D. 1675. Then fell in Swan-
sea, slain by the Indians, Nehemiah Allen, William Cahoone, Gershom Cobb,
KING PHILIP'S WAR 71
On arriving at Mount Hope the troops found that Philip and
his Indians had fled out of that peninsula across the channel* and
later it was learned that they had gone to Pocasset. The English
erected a fort on Mount Hope Neck, leaving in it a garrison of
forty men.
Major Thomas Savage arrived from Boston on the evening of
June 29th with men and supplies, bringing with him also Capt.
Paige's troop of thirty-six men. The accounts of the next few
days are somewhat vague, but it appears that on the 29th and 30th
the troopers, supported by Capt. Mosely's volunteers, scouted
through the whole Mount Hope peninsula, driving some Indians
into a swamp with a loss of five or six, while Ensign Perez Savage
was severely wounded on the English side. A day or two after-
wards Capts. Henchman and Prentice searched the swamps of
Swansea and Rehoboth, finding very few Indians, except at the
latter place, where they saw some Indians burning a house. Lieut.
Oakes of Prentice's troop pursued them, killing four or five, one
of whom was known to be Thebe or Peebee, a sachem of Mount
Hope, after whom was named Peebee's Neck in Barrington; an-
other of them was a chief counselor of King Philip. In this raid
the Lieutenant lost one of his company, John Druce of -Roxburyt
to the great grief of his companions.
As no more Indians were discovered in this section. Major
Savage and his troops were ordered into the Narragansett country
to treat with that tribe, who were suspected of favoring the cause
or Philip; but they found the young warriors gone to the Connect-
icut River with their sachem Canonchet. A treaty was concluded
with the old men of the tribe, which Canonchet rightly regarded
as a farce. The remaining forces sought Philip at Pocasset and
found that, having laid waste the town of Dartmouth, he had
taken refuge in a swamp. Capt. Henchman built a fort on its
border, hoping to subdue the savages by hunger. The Indians
by a feint drew the English far into an ambuscade, fired upon them
and killed about fifteen of them. This was on July 18, 1675.
Before this, however. Captain Fuller of Plymouth and Benjamin
Church, commissary, hoping for an opportunity to treat with the
John Druce, John Fall, William Hammond, John Jones, Robert Jones, Joseph
Lewis. John Salisbury, William Salisbury. To mark this Historic Site this
monument was erected by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, A.D. 1912.'*
Its initiative was due to the Rhode Island Citizens Historical Society.
72 HISTORY OP REHOBOTH
Sakonnet and Pocassct Indiana before Philip could pledge them»
had crossed over to Pocasset with a force of thirty-six men, and
nearly succeeded in ambuscading the Indians when some of Fuller**
men in striking fire from flint to smoke tobacco gave them warn-
ing and caused them to flee. Dividing the company. Captain
Fuller pursued the savages in one direction and Church in another.
Fuller's party had two men wounded in a skirmish and were
driven to a deserted house whence they succeeded in getting on
board a vessel. Church and his followers encountered a large
force of the enemy and were in extreme danger when they were
rescued by Roger Goulding in his sloop, the stem of which the
Indians filled with bullets. Weetamoo, the queen sachem of the
Pocassets, was much perplexed, being inclined to take sides with
the English, but Philip's presence had the effect to bring her
warriors and finally herself over to his side, doubtless against
her better judgment. Possibly the fact that she was the sister of
Philip's wife may also have influenced her. But much to the sur-
prise of the English, Philip with his warriors, accompanied by
Weetamoo, coming out of the swamp by night, made good his
escape over Taunton River and directed his flight towards the
Nipmucks, a numerous tribe living mostly in Central Massachu-
setts. In crossing the great Seekonk plain in Rehoboth they were
discovered by some of the settlers, who with a small party of
Mohegans pursued them under the leadership of Rev. Noah New-
man, their minister, killing twelve of Philip's men. Hubbard's
account of the affair varies somewhat from this and is as follows:
''The Mohegans, with the men of Rehoboth and some of Prov-
idence, came upon their rear over night, slew about thirty of them,
and took much plunder from them without any considerable loss
to the English."
According to Bodge (pp. 30, 31), the Rehoboth men with some
volunteers from Providence and Taunton led by the Mohegans,
were joined in their pursuit of Philip by Lieutenant Nathaniel
Thomas with eleven men of his Mount Hope garrison and by
James Brown of Swansea with twelve men. Their united force
pushed on across the Blackstone River, and having rested over
night surprised the Indians early in the morning at what proved
to be Weetamoo's camp at a place called Nipsachick (now Burrill-
ville, R.I.). Some twenty-three of the enemy were killed, in-
cluding a prominent chief, Woonashum or Ninirod. Of the Eng-
KING PHILIP'S WAR 73
lish two were killed and one wounded. Near the close of the fight
Rev. Mr. Newman and a party came up bringing supplies. Philip
then got away to the westward, and Weetamoo and her people
(except the fighting men) turned off into the Narragansettcountry.
Inasmuch as Rehoboth was represented in the great Narragan-
sett Swamp Fight by at least fifteen soldiers, a brief account of
that fierce and decisive battle is here set forth : —
In December, 1675, the Narragansett Indians had gone into
winter quarters at South Kingston, R.I. Their rendezvous was
an immense fort on an island of five or six acres in the center of
a swamp. This fortress was surrounded by high palisades, with
the entrance at one corner having a sort of blockhouse and flankers.
The space within the fort area was dotted with wigwams, in which
were gathered the old men, women, and children of the Narragan-
sett tribe, besides many refugees of the Wampanoags and Pocas-
scts. It is stated that more than 3,000 Indians were spending the
winter in this fortified retreat.
The English troops, with Major Josias Winslow in command
numbered about fifteen hundred men besides two hundred Indian
allies, mostly Mohegans. This army was sent from the United
Colonies for the purpose of crushing the assembled Indians at a
single stroke. They were conducted to the stronghold by an
Indian called Peter, who turned traitor to his people. The night
of December 18th wa^ cold and stormy, and some three inches
of snow covered the ground. The house on their route (Bull's
Garrison) in which they expected to pass the night was burned by
the Indians before their arrival and they had no shelter. At the
dawn of day (Sunday, December 19th) they resumed their march
of fifteen miles and at 1 o'clock reached the margin of the swamp.
The Indians were driven to their stronghold, and the troops rushed
impetuously to the attack. They were met by a heavy fire of
musketry. In the first charge several brave officers were killed
and many of their men. Others, however, pressed boldly forward
from the rear and were soon within the fort, where the carnage
raged with fiendish cruelty for some three hours and the dead
lay in heaps. Finally the Indians were driven from the enclosure.
The wigwams were fired and an immense number of non-com-
batants were burned alive. It has been stated that the number of
wigwams burned was about one thousand. (Drake's Indian
Chronicle, p. 183.) Others say five hundred.
74 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
It was a decisive but dearly bought victory tor the English.
Trumbull states that including the Indian allies 299 were killed
and 513 wounded. Of the allies he gives 51 slain and 82 wounded.^
Six brave captains were slain: Davenport, Gardiner* Johnson*
Gallop, Seily, and Marshall; Lieut. Upham was mortally wounded
and Captain Gorham of Barnstable was stricken with a fatal
fever. The loss on the Indian side was, according to Potock* a
counselor among them, 700 fighting men slain and 300 wounded.
Their chief, Canonchet, escaped. The number of old men* wo-
men and children burned in their wigwams, and that died from
hunger and cold, must have been very great.
The loss of this fort with so many of its defenders and its ample
stock of provisions was severely felt by the Indians, who were com-
pelled to leave that part of the country. After the battle the Eng-
lish withdrew from the fort, marching sixteen miles through
snow and storm to Wickford. Many of the wounded died on the
way and great hardship was endured by all.
A rough granite shaft was put up on the spot, Oct. 20, 1906.
It rises from a mound at the four comers of which are four mas-
sive stones representing the colonies of Massachusetts, Plymouth,
Rhode Island and Connecticut.
The following inscription cut in slate rests upon the top of the
mound:
"Attacked
Within their fort upon this
Island
The Narragansett Indians
Made their last stand
in King Philip's War
and were crushed by the united
forces of the Massachusetts
Connecticut and Plymouth Colonies
in the
•Great Swamp Fight'
Sunday, Dec. 19, 1676."
^ There is much discrepancy between different authors respecting the
number slain and wounded. The Rev. Increase Mather, whose history is
dated 1676, says: '*Of the English there were killed and wounded about two
hundred and thirty, whereof only eighty and 6ve persons are dead." The
London pamphlet (February, 1676), gives the total of killed and wounded as
two hundred and seven. The truth may lie somewhere between these state-
ments and that of Trumbull.
KING PHILIP'S WAR 76
This record was placed by the Rhode Island Society of Colonial
Wars, 1906.
Another monument at the swamp was erected by the Rhode
Island Historical Society, Nov. 3, 1916, inscribed as follows:
"In memory of Major Samuel Appleton of Ipswich,
Mass., who commanded the Massachusetts forces
and led the victorious storming column at the Great
Swamp Fight, Dec. 19, 1675."
Now that Philip had deserted the Mount Hope region and gone
to the Nipmucks, affairs were comparatively quiet in Rehoboth
and vicinity until the spring of 1676, when the terrible battle
occurred known as "Pierce's Fight," so called from Captain
Michael Pierce, who commanded the English and perished with
his men in an ambuscade on the West bank of the Blackstone,
in what is now Central Falls, R.I. Just before this, many hostile
Indians coming eastward from the Connecticut River were carry-
ing war like a whirlwind into the settlements of Plymouth Colony
and Massachusetts Bay. On February 26 they assaulted Wey-
mouth and burned seven or eight houses and bams. On March 12
the Indians had penetrated to the town of Plymouth, destroyed
Clark's garrison, killed its defenders, eleven in number, and se-
cured its provisions without loss to themselves. On March 17
they burned Warwick. Almost daily there was some outbreak
by the savages, thirsting for revenge for the slaughter of their
wives and children who three months before had been roasted
alive in the Narragansett Swamp fight. Owing to the terror of
the white settlers at this time, Captain Michael Pierce of Scituate
was ordered to make aggressive war on the enemy. His com-
pany consisted of fifty English soldiers (one account says sixty-
three) and twenty friendly Indians, the latter led by "Captain
Amos," a Wampanoag from Cape Cod.
Captain Pierce with his company at once proceeded to Seekonk
Common in Rehoboth (now East Providence, R.I.), where he
arrived on Saturday, March 25, 1676. Hearing that Indians were
in the vicinity, he hastened in pursuit and had a skirmish with
them, sustaining no loss on his part and believing that he had con-
siderably damaged them. Night coming on. Captain Pierce with
his men retired to the garrison house on the Common.
The next morning, Sunday, March 26, obtaining several guides
from among the Rehoboth men. Captain Pierce again moved in
76 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
pursuit of the Indians. He had not proceeded far when, in an
obscure, woody place, he discovered a few rambling Indians who
seemed in haste to get away but limped along as if they had been
seriously wounded. These men the English pursued and soon
found them to be decoys leading them into an ambuscade.
Suddenly Obtain Pierce found himself in the presence of an
overwhelming force of the enemy. Before leaving the garrison
in the morning he had sent a messenger to Captain Edmunds
of Providence, asking him to co-operate in an attack upon a
large body of Indians then at Pawtucket Falls. As it was
Sunday morning the messenger delayed giving his message until
after the morning service, when Captain Edmunds chided him
and declared it was then too late, as it proved. It is doubt-
ful if any reinforcements could have saved Captain Pierce and
his men after they had crossed the river, as the Indians had
every advantage. He found himself outgeneraled and outnum-
bered. At one point the 500 Indians surrounding him seemed
to give ground, but when 400 more came up, they outnumbered
his men five or six to one. The English, forming a circle, made
a brave resistance for about two hours, during which time Cap-
tain Pierce, his Lieutenant, Samuel Fuller, and, according to New-
man, fifty-two English soldiers were slain besides eleven friendly
Indians. On the side of the enemy more than a hundred were
killed. Rev. Noah Newman, in a letter to Rev. John Cotton of
Plymouth, dated the day after the battle, after giving the number
killed as above, goes on to state their names as follows:
From Scituaie^ 15 Slain,
Capt. Pierce, Samuel Russell, Benjamin Chittenden,
John Lothrope, Gershom Dodson, Samuel Pratt,
Thomas Savery, Joseph Wade, William Wilcome,
Jeremiah Barstow, John Ensign, Joseph Cowen,
Joseph Perry, John Rowse, ?
Marshfield, 9 Slain.
Thomas Little, John Earns, Joseph White,
John Burrows, Joseph Phillips, Samuel Bump,
John Low, More ? John Brance.
Duzbury, 4 Slain,
John Sprague, Benjamin Soal, Thomas Hunt,
Joshua Fobes.
KING PHILIP'S WAR 77
Sandwich^ 5 Slain.
Benjamin Nye, Daniel Bessey, Caleb Blake,
John Gibbs, Stephen Wing.
BamstabUt 6 Slain.
Lieut. Fuller, John Lewis, Eleazer Clapp»
Samuel Linnet, Samuel Childs, Samuel Bereman.
YamunUh, 5 Slain.
John Mathews, John Gage, William Gage,
Henry Gage, Henry Gold.
Easthanit 3 Slain.
Joseph Nessefield, John Walker, John M .
{Rehoboth?) 2 Slain.
John Fitz, Jr. John Miller, Jr.
The paper is much worn and mutilated, so that the names of
several are lost. It is said that Miller and Fitz (or Fitch) were of
Rehoboth, and probably others.
In a chart of the descendants of John Read of Rehoboth, pub-
lished by Orin Read of Providence in 1859, it is stated that John
Read's second son, John Read, Jr., was one of the Rehoboth
soldiers killed in this fight.
A tablet at Central Falls, R.I., marks the place of this fierce
battle and is inscribed as follows: —
"Near this spot
Capt. M. Pierce
And his Company of
Plymouth Colonists
Ambuscaded and outnumbered were
Almost annihilated
by the Indians
March 26, 1676.
Erected by the
State of Rhode Island
1907."
There is a tradition that on the same day with Pierce's Fight*
nine men became detached from a company, or possibly were
hastening to the relief of Captain Pierce, when they were am-
bushed by a great body of Indians, and all slain and left unburied
at a place known as ''Camp Swamp" or ''Nine Men's Misery."
78 HISTOBY OF REHOBOTH
Their bodies were found and buried by friends in one grave. The
spot b in Cumberland, R.I.» a sh<Mrt distance above Lonsdale,
and is marked by a rude pile of stones. It is within the woodlands
belonging to the Cistercian Monastery, half a mile away.
In the vital record of Rehoboth are the names of four men who
were slain on March 26, 1676, the date of Pierce's Fight. Two of
these were John Fitch, Jr., and John Miller, Jr. The other two,
not mentioned in Pastor Newman's letter, were Benjamin Bucklin
(old spelling Buckland) and John Read, Jr.
This was |)erhaps the worst defeat the English sustained during
the war. It is probable that Canonchet, the great Narragansett
sachem, directed the campaign in person, and was assisted by
the ablest warriors picked from all the tribes. It was a signal
victory for the Indians and confirmed Canonchet as the ablest
military leader of his race; King Philip being rather a statesman
and diplomat than a soldier. Elated by victory, Canonchet may
well have dreamed of re-establishing his people in the land; but
treachery, that bane of the Indian chieftains, was lurking near,
and the hero's doom was sealed.
On March 28, two days after this battle, a party of the Indians
crossing the river made a furious attack on Rehoboth, burning
some forty houses and thirty bams. These houses were around
the '*Ring of the town." The garrison house was spared and an-
other house at the south end of the Common which had black sticks
set up around it to look like sentinek. Tradition says that the
fires were kindled early in the evening, so that when the sun arose
the next morning it beheld a circle of smoking ruins. One person
was slain at this time, Robert Beers, an Irish brick-maker, who
refused to leave his own house for the garrison house, thinking
the Bible he held in his hand would protect him; but he was shot
through the window and fell dead.^
On the 29th the savages appeared at Providence and burned
'There is a tradition that a certain chair which for many generations be-
longed to the Abell family of East Providence was wont to be sat in by King
Philip on his visits to the family, and came to be known as "King Philip's
Chair.** At the burning of the town this chair was brought out and occupied
by the chief (said to have been Philip). On leaving the house an Indian threw
a fire-brand into the chair, which consumed the bottom and the four rounds
to which it was attached, and scorched the legs, which still show marks of
6re. Afterwards four rough rounds were hewn out and put in place of those
burned. This chair, which is a large, heavy armchoir, is now in possession
of Hcv. L. S. Woodworth, who was for a number of years pastor of the New-
man Church at East Providence.
KING PHILIP'S WAR 79
some thirty houses there. After that they broke up into small
prowling bands, which scouted upon the borders of the outlying
towns, making an assault here and there as opportunity seemed to
offer; April 9 at Billerica; April 19 at Andover, where they killed
Joseph Abbot and captured his younger brother Timothy, burned
the house of Mr. Faulkner and wounded Roger Marks; while
another band the same day burned the deserted houses at Marl-
borough; and still another party appeared at Hingham and Wey-
mouth, where they killed two men, one at each place.
The wily savages skulked from one place to another or hid
themselves in the deep woods by day, to steal out of their lairs
at dusk and swoop down upon their victims like a noiseless scourge;
then, by the flare of a burning cabin, to fade away as they came,
into the silence of the darkness. "It was a short shrift; — a few
musket shots or crashing blows of a tomahawk, the kindling of a
(ire, and the morning sun betrayed a heap of smoking embers and
the stark victims of a warfare against which no human foresight
could prevail; only the stout garrison-house or the sentineled fort
afforded safety, and even that was preserved only by a sleepless
vigilance or an indomitable courage."
On April 9, 1676, Canonchet was found on the Blackstone
River near the village of Pawtucket. (Bodge, p. 383.)
Capt. George Dennison of Stonington, Conn., and Capt. Avery
of New London, having raised forty-seven English with eighty
Indians, marched to Pawtucket in search of Canonchet. They
captured one of his guards, with two women, one of whom confessed
that Canonchet was near by with only a small guard. When he
found that the enemy were close upon him he seized his gun and
sought to escape with a party of scouts at his heels. In crossing
a small stream his foot slipped on a stone and he fell, wetting his
gun. He was captured by Monopoid, a Pequod Indian, who rec-
ognized him because in his flight he was obliged to cast off his
blanket, and then his lace coat, which he had of late received from
tlie English, and then his belt of wampum. But though helpless
and a captive he was still the proud and unconquered chief, and
when young Robert Stanton, an interpreter, came up and ven-
tured to question him, this dignified sachem turned away saying,
"You much child, no understand matters of war, let your older
brother or your chief come, him I will answer." When told that
he might save his life by commanding his people to yield to the
80 HISTORY OP REHOBOTH
English, his resolution was not to be shaken by any threats or
bribes. And when he was told of his sentence of death, he replied
that he "liked it well, that he should die before his heart was soft
or he had spoken anything unworthy of himself/' He was taken
to Stonington and there shot by Oneco, son of Uncas, his life-long
enemy, and two sachems of the Pequods, of equal rank.
Reverend John Cotton of Plymouth, in a letter dated April
19, 1676, mentions the death of this chief sachem as follows:
"On Lord's day April 9, some Connecticut forces, Capt. George
Denison being chiefe, tooke and killed forty-two Indians of which
Quanonshet was one who was taken in that coat he received from
Boston. His head is sent to Hartford, his body is burnt." "There
is no nobler figure in all the annals of the American Indians,"
says Bodge, "than Canonchet, son of Miantonomoh, sachem of
the Narragansetts. As he had become the real head and life of
the Indians at war, so his capture was the death-blow to their
hopes."
The next notice we have of the Indians, relative to Rehoboth,
is that "In the road (from Wrentham) to Rehoboth they assaulted
one Woodcock's house; killed one man and one of his sons; wounded
another and burned his son's house." The name of the son slain
was Nathaniel (May, 1676). He was buried in the yard where he
fell, which ever since has been reserved for a burying-ground.
Woodcock was a man of resolute and determined character, who
swore never to make peace with the Indians, but ever after hunted
them like wild beasts. (See Daggett's IlisL of AUleborougK p. 47.)
In the Rehoboth record of dcatlis and burials we read: "Nehe-
miah Sabin, slain and buried in June, 1676."
Weetamoo had for a time found an asylum among the Narra-
gansetts, but when their power was broken she bad come back to
the vicinity of Pocasset among familiar scenes, but only to be be-
trayed by one of her own people. About the 7th of August a
small party of English went out from Taunton River and captured
twenty-six of her Indians, but she herself, attempting to escape
across the river on a small raft, was drowned, and her body being
found a few days later, her head was severed, and being placed
on a pole was paraded in the streets of Taunton. Hubbard re-
marks that when this was known by some Indian prisoners there,
it "set them into a horrible lamentation."
August 12, 1676, was a memorable day in King Philip's War.
KING PHILIP'S WAR 81
The brave king of the Wampanoags liad been deprived of wife,
child, kindred, and nearly all his followers and friends; it only
remained for him to pay the last full measure of devotion to the
cause dearer to him than life. He was now being hunted down by
the English and Indians on every side, and had retired with a few
of his staunch friends to his old retreat in a swamp at Mount Hope.
Benjamin Church was then in command of a scouting company
of English and Indians from Plymouth. Leaving most of his
company at Pocasset, he passed over to Rhode Island and was
joined by Captains Roger Golding and Peleg Sanford of Rhode
Island, and Captain John Williams of Scituate. The Indians
with Captain Church were mostly of the Sakonnet tribe, whose
queen was Awashonks of Little Compton.
A deserter from Philip betrayed the place of his concealment to
which he guided the English, reaching the swamp about mid-
night. Church arranged an ambuscade for cutting off the enemy's
retreat and sent Capt. Golding to "beat the cover." His men
crept on all fours towards the camp of the savages until one of
Philip's sentinels was seen and fired upon, when the sleeping
Indians were aroused, and Philip, half-dressed, led his men to the
open side of the swamp, coming face to face with two of Capt.
Church's men. An English musket missed fire; that of the Sa-
konnet ally beside him sent its bullet into the heart of the great
chieftain, and he fell face foremost into the mud and water of the
swamp. The name of the savage who killed him was Alderman,
who is said to have been the same who betrayed his hiding-place.
It was under these circumstances that the aged sub-chief, the
ever faithful Annawan, first came to the notice of Captain Church,
his attention being attracted to the veteran warrior by his brave
efforts to conduct an orderly retreat, and "lootash! lootash!"
loudly repeated by the aged chief caused Captain Church to ask
his Indian ally, Peter, who that was that called so, who answered,
'*It was old Annawan, Philip's great Captain, calling on his sol-
diers to stand to it and fight stoutly." So ably did the old chief
bring off his men through a part of the swamp Church had left un-
guarded, that nearly all were enabled to escape.
Instead of leaving Philip's body where it fell, the English
dragged it out roughly to a dry spot and there offered to the
dead sachem indignities unworthy of Christian men. By order of
Captain Church he was chopped in quarters, beheaded and left
6
82 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
unburied. His head and one hand were given to Alderman as
a reward, and» according to Church» he "got many a penny'* by
showing the hand. The head was stuck on a pole at Plymouth,
to be an object of derision for numy years.
When one reflects on deeds like these, recalling that the royal
sachem's noble wife Wootonekanuske, sister of the princess Wee-
tamoo, his brother's wife, with his boy of tender age, were sold
as slaves to hard masters in far oflF Bermuda, he is at least reminded
of Sylvester's thrust (Vol. 2, p. 337), that 'The English butchers
and slave-dealers of the United Colonies proved themselves no
whit better than the poor, untutored savages they plotted so suc-
cessfully to annihilate."
Thus fell the great sachem of Mount Hope, the most illustrious
of his race in North America, and the most powerful enemy ever
encountered by the English settlers, who but for Indian deserters
to guide them into his carefully concealed haunts and turn against
him his own savage tactics, would without doubt have extermi-
nated the whole English race in New England. He was a man of
superior talents, a great organizer and a mighty king of men,
in whom rested the confidence and hope of the federated tribes.
The early .writers of his character were enemies whose intense
prejudice led to a false coloring of motives and actions. As the
trusted head of a nation, how could he submit to annihilation with-
out a struggle? It is high time that his vast achievements received
their due meed of praise.
This sanguinary war had cost the Colonies heavily in men and
property. The record reads: tliirteen towns destroyed, six hun-
dred dwelling-houses burnt, and six hundred men slain in the
flower of their strength, so that almost every family in New Eng-
land was called upon to mourn the loss of a relative or friend.
The small remnant now left of Philip's forces was commanded
by Annawan, who had narrowly escaped with fifty or sixty men
from the swamp where Philip was killed. After skulking about
from place to place for the next two weeks, he was captured by
Captain Benjamin Church and bis party, Aug. 28, 1676, at a place
since known as Annawan 's Rock in the easterly part of Rehoboth,
at the northern end of Squannakonk Swamp. This rock is on
the Bay State Electric |line running from Taunton to Providence,
and about one and one-half miles east of the Annawan Grange and
Tavern. A sign by the way-side now indicates the spot. The
ANNAWAN rilH'K
WALTER RLISS KROST
KING PHILIP'S WAR 83
rock is of conglomerate structure, running north-east and south-
west about eighty feet, and from fifteen to twenty-five feet in
height, of easy ascent on the west side, but on the southeast side
broken somewhat precipitously with a fall of some six or eight feet.
The difficulty of descent is often exaggerated, for one can easily
get down by taking hold of the bushes or the edge of the rock.
The retreat was ideal, being close to the swamp and on the steep
side of the rock, with small trees growing about the base, but with
space for mats to be spread for a resting-place. It would hardly
have been discovered by pursuers, unless piloted by Indian deser-
ters or prisoners. Captain Church had set out from Plymouth in
company with his lieutenant, Captain Jabez Howland, to round up
this roving band of Indians. Crossing over from Pocasset, he
scouted northward with his few Indians through Mount Hope and
Poppasquash Neck. Having separated from Lieutenant Howland,
he soon captured one of Annawan's Indians and a girl who consen-
ted to lead them to his retreat at the swamp. On reaching the
summit of the rock at eventide. Church saw the object of his pur-
suit by the light of their fires. They were divided into three
parties, resting at a short distance from each other, their guns
leaning against a cross-stick and covered from the weather by
mats. Over their fires the women were cooking their supper.
He saw that Annawan had formed his camp by felling a tree
against the clef ted rock and setting a row of bushes up against it,
making a sort of arbor where he, his son, and some of his chiefs
had taken their lodging. Church, trusting to divine Providence
and his Indian guides, resolved to descend among them. Hearing
the noise of pounding com in a mortar in the camp, he thought
it might favor his movements. Ordering his Indian prisoner,
whom he calls "the old man," and his daughter, who knew the
place well, to lead the way with their baskets at their backs as
they had often done before, he and his men, a Mr. Cook of Ply-
mouth and six Indians, followed in their rear. As Church suddenly
leaped from the rock with his tomahawk in his hand, old Captain
Annawan started up with the cry, "Howah, I am taken!" Im-
mediately securing their guns, Church called on them all to sub-
mit and promised them good treatment. They, supposing them-
selves to be surrounded, readily yielded and became his prisoners.
"What have you for supper?" he asked Annawan. *T am come to
sup with you." He replied, "Taubut," and ordered his women to
84 HISTORY OF REIIOBOTH
prepare supper for his visitors, and inquired whether he would have
horse-beef or cow-beef. He replied "cow-beef." While his men
slept. Church, although greatly needing sleep himself, kept vigil
with old Annawan. After a long conversation Annawan arose and
walked a little way back from the company, and Captain Church
began to suspect some ill design; but he at length returned with
something in his hands and falling upon his knees before Captain
Chiut^h he addressed him thus: "Great Captain, you have killed
Philip and conquered his country, for I believe that I and my com*
pany are the last that war against the English, so suppose the
war is ended by your means, and therefore these things belong to
you." He then presented him with what he said was Philip's
royalties, with which he was wont to adorn himself when he sat
in state. The first was a beautifully wrought belt nine inches in
breadth, and of such length that when put upon the shoulders
of Captain Church it reached to his ankles. This was considered
at that time of great value, being embroidered all over with wam-
pum of various colors, curiously wrought into figures of birds,
beasts and flowers. The second belt was also of exquisite work-
manship, with which Philip used to ornament his head, and from
which flowed two flags which decorated his back. A third belt
was a smaller one, with a star upon the end of it, which he wore
upon his breast. All these were edged with red hair, which Anna-
wan said was got in the country of the Mohawks. To these splen-
did regalia were added two horns of glazed powder and a red
cloth blanket.
The next morning Church met his lieutenant coming from Taun-
ton and sent most of his company and his prisoners by him to
Plymouth, while he himself took Annawan and half a dozen of
his Indian soldiers and went to Rhode Island; but within a few
days all were together at Plymouth. The capture of Annawan
was practically the end of the war, although hostilities continued
for some time after, especially in parts of Maine and New Hamp-
shire. In this exploit. Captain Church undoubtedly rendered the
government a great service, and we gladly accord him the honor
he deserves; but as the physical difficulty of reaching Annawan
at the rock has been exaggerated, so has the chivalry of his cap-
ture. In view of all known facts the enterprise takes on a slightly
commercial tinge. The Government allowed thirty shillings a
head for every Indian slain or captured, and Thomas Church, the
KING PHILIP'S WAR 86
captain's son and amanuensis, thus complains: "Methinks it
was a scanty reward and poor encouragement/' and he adds:
"For this march they received four shilHngs and sixpence a man,
which was all the reward they had, except the honor of kiUing
PhiHp." And moreover, Annawan knew that he had reached the
end of his rope, having but a small supply of arms and ammunition,
destitute of provisions, his numbers growing daily less by capture
and desertions, and with no hope of ultimate escape. Thus con-
ditioned, the old valor was lacking; there was no spirit of resis-
tance, and not a gun was fired nor a tomahawk raised. It was the
surrender of a spent force.
Captain Church had promised to intercede for his distinguished
captive, but in spite of his entreaties the brave old chief, who had
been captain under three great sachems, was ignominiously ex-
ecuted by the English at Plymouth: ''a dastardly act, "says Bay-
lies, "which disgraced the Government."
Another Wampanoag chief was Tuspaquin, sachem of Assa-
wamset, also called "the Black Sachem," who married Amie,
daughter of Massassoit. He was induced to come in and surren-
der by the solemn promise of Mr. Church that his life should be
spared and that he would perhaps make him a captain, and hav-
ing given himself up he was immediately beheaded. Thus was
the pledge of the Government to him shamefully and ruthlessly
violated. "When Captain Church," says his historian, "returned
from Boston, he found to his great grief the heads of Annawan,
Tuspaquin, etc., cut off, which were the last of Philip's friends."
After this time a few Indians lurking around Seekonk and
Rehoboth were all that were heard of in Plymouth Colony. These
killed some swine and horses, probably for food; but they were
readily overcome by the friendly Indians without any loss of
life on the part of the English.
A pathos too deep for words attends the extinction of the In-
dian tribes of New England. Once they were the masters and
owners of these fair lands, the gift to them, as they believed, of
the Great Spirit, containing their homes and the scpulchers of
their fathers. As independent nations and lovers of freedom
they roamed these virgin forests, adorned with lakes and rivers
and lofty hills, never dreaming that cruel white men would come
and in the name of civilization rob them of their precious heritage.
But they were conquered, and the remnant of their posterity
86
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
driven far westward; and now» although nearly 250 years have
passed^ the problem of their racial destmy is still unsolved.
The names of the Rehoboth soldiers who [served [in Philip's
war have been preserved* and are as follows:
Those engaged in the Narra- Those who served under Major
gansett expedition were:
John Pitch,
Jonathan Wilmarth»
Jasiel Perry»
Thomas Kendrick,
Jonathan Sabin»
John Carpenter,
John Redeway,
John Martin,
John Hall,
John Miller, Jun.
John Ide,
Joseph Doggett,
Sampson Mason, Jun.
Isaac Pierce,
William Hoskins,
Bradford were:
Preserved Abell,
Samuel Peny»
Stephen Paine, Jun.
Samuel Miller,
Silas T. Alin,
Samuel Palmer,
James Redeway,
Enoch Hunt,
Samuel Walker,
Nicholas Ide,
Noah Mason,
Samuel Sabin,
Thomas Read,
Israel Read,
George Robinson,
Nathaniel Wilmarth.
The following catalogue gives the names of those who, at one
period of the war, made advances of money, together with the
sums they advanced. It shows that many of those who served
as private soldiers in the war abo advanced money to sustain it:
George Kendrick,
Jonathan Fuller*
Jo. Miller* sen.
Joseph Buckland,
Wid. Abraham Perem,
Rice Leonard,
James Gilson.
An. Perry,
George Robinson,
John Perem,
William Carpenter,
John Titus, sen.
Samuel Carpenter,
Widow Sabin,
John Ormsby,
Josiah Palmer,
John Butterworth, jun.
Thomas Read,
Stephen Paine, jun.
Joseph Sabin,
Gilbert Brooks,
David Smith,
James Redeway, sen.
£11 13«.
Id.
Preserved Abell,
£7
15«
.Id
1 18
8
WUliam Buckland,
2
9
0
6 5
4
Benjamin Buckland, with
4
3
10
6 3
0
the loss of a gun.
14 2
0
Samuel Peck,
9
2
8
2 0
6
John Pitch, with the )
loss of a gun, i
Thomas Wulmarth, sen.
13
/•
A
4 18
2
6
4
14 00
2
6
12
3
4 12
0
Francis Stephens,
1
10
6
1 13
10
Joseph Peck,
2
10
0
8 17
3
David Beers,
17
8
5 6
3
John Savage,
Richard Martin,
2
6
8
11 19
5
1
5
4
1 7
6
Thomas Grant,
9
0
2 15
0
Deacon Nathaniel Cooper, 8
0
0
1 10
10
Robert Miller,
5
17
6
3 11
5
Wid. Mason,
13
5
10
8 14
4
Wid. Rachael Read, )
with a gun lost, )
4
3
0
10 11
5
1 17
0
John Kingsley,
2
4
0
3 14
10
Moses Reade,
4
1
10
4 17
5
John Reade, sen.
13
18
11
5 14
4
WiUiam Sabin.
15
5
8
KING PHILIP'S WAR
87
Nathaniel Paine.
£100
Of
.Od.
Noah Mason.
15«
.Od.
Samuel lleade.
17
10
John Jonson.
16
6
Thomas Willmarth.
jun.
7
4
Jeremiah Wheaton,
3
0
John Willmarth,
1
2
4
Obadiah Bowen,
2 17
8
Joseph Chaffee,
1
8
8
Nathaniel Foulsom.
5
6
Samuel Bullock,
12
3
Eben. Amidown.
1
6
John Carpenter,
1
18
6
John Crossman.
2
6
John Titus, jun.
2
7
7
Benjamin Sabin.
1 0
6
Nathaniel Chaffee,
3
16
6
James Rede way. jun.
5
0
Robert Fuller.
4
10
3
William Blanding.
7
0
llichard Bowen,
4
4
8
Daniel Smith.
37 11
7
Rebecca Hunt,
1
7
10
John Peck.
4 12
6
John Hall,
1
6
Deacon Walker.
26 00
0
Samuel Sabin.
4
14
2
John Allen, jun.
16
9
Eldad Kingsley.
9
4
John Dogget.
11 1
3J
Wid. Carpenter,
Daniel Allen.
Samuel Homes.
6
0
6
Samuel Newman.
4 17
10
14
9
0
0
Total
484 5
5
BIBLIOGRAPHY.
The London pamphlet, published in Feb., 1676 (anonymous).
A Brief History of the War urith the Indians in New England^ by
Increase Mather, D.D. 1676.
The History of the Indian Wars in New England^ by Rev. William
Hubbard, 1677. Notes by S. G. Drake, 1865.
The History of King Philip* s War, by Benjamin Church, 1716.
Also with Notes by Dr. H. M. Dexter, 1866.
The Old Indian Chronicle. Introduction and Notes by Samuel
Gardner Drake. Boston, 1867.
Indian History and Genealogy, by General Ebenezer W. Pierce
of Freetown. North Abington, Mass., 1878.
Soldiers in King Philip's War, by George M. Bodge. Leomin-
ster, Mass. Printed for the Author, 1896.
Indian Wars of New England, by Herbert Milton Sylvester.
3 vols. Boston, 1910.
This, with a few extracts from the town records, closes the
history of all the events to be found in the annals of Philip's war,
relating to Rehoboth. The history of the town from the period
of Philip's war till near the commencement of the war of the
Revolution possesses little that is either novel or interesting. A
few extracts from the town records are nearly all that we are
able to give on this period.
"June 12, 1675. The town being met, being lawfully warned,
chose the town council and the townsmen to take care for the pro-
vision of the soldiers that are put to answer the warrant; and that
they shall make a rate for the defraying of the charges both for
88 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
their soldiers clothes and other necessaries, and for any charges
about the former soldiers."
"June 16» 1676. The town engaged a surgeon for three months,
who promised to be helpful to the town and do his best endeavour,
with the help of God, to cure any of our towne that may be woun-
ded by the enemy"; and tlie town was to pay him ''three pounds
in money, for to procure instruments, and medicines for healing,
and also an accommodation of a suitable place, and his diet and
twenty shillings a month."
'Tebruary 2, 1676-7. It was agreed upon by the town, that the
county rate should be made as much as the town hath been out
of charges relating to the late war, and that the soldiers* wages be
put into it."
''November 13, 1677. It was voted that Lieutenant Hunt
and Ensign Nicholas Pecke should assist the Deacons to go from
house to house to make inquiry, what persons have or will do, for
thb present year, for the mamtenance of our Reverent Pastor;
to see whether it will amount to fifty pounds; and also to take
care that it may be effectually paid in season."
At the same meeting it was voted also "that Daniel Smith
should write to the 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 invita-
tions that our Reverend Pastor made to him."
"It was also voted, that an invitation might be given to Mr.
Man for to be helpful in the work of the ministry for this winter,
and that the townsmen should take care for to endeavour to aflPect
it; and if Mr. Man cannot be obtained, then the townsmen shall
endeavour to obtain any other suitable person for the work of
the ministry this season."
April 12, 1678. "The town manifested their earnest desire
that Mr. Angier might be treated with by the townsmen, and
encouraged to tarry with us untill we see how the Lord will deal
with our Reverend Pastor; the town desiring, that, if it might
be, that some hold may be taken of him with speed, that we might
not be left destitute: the town manifesting their approbation of
him and his labors in the work of the ministry."
The town also voted, that Deacon Walker, John Woodcock,
Anthony Perry, and Samuel Peck should be added to "the com-
mittee for finishing the meeting house."
April 16, 1678, the Reverend Noah Newman, the second min-
ister of Rehoboth, died, having filled the sacred office from the
year 1668 till the commencement of the illness which terminated
ANNALS AND RECORDS 89
in his death. The little that can now be collected concerning
him has been given. A letter written by him to Mr. Cotton of
Plymouth, on the day after "Pierce's Fight/' giving an account
of those slain in that battle, was referred to at page 76, in the
account of the Indian war. He was interred in the old burying
ground near the Congregational meeting-house in East Providence.
"April 29, 1678. It was voted that Mrs. Newman, the relict
of our late Reverend Pastor, shall have fifteen pounds for this
present year, and a sufficiency of wood brought to her gate, if
she please still to abide with us, and thus to be paid according
to present subscription." It was also agreed upon that the towns-
men shall agree with Mrs. Newman in the town's behalf for the
diet of Mr. Angier."
"June 20, 1678. The town unanimously agreed that Mr.
Angier should have forty pounds a year for his encouragement,
and his diet; and ten pounds of the forty in money, if God incline
his heart to settle amongst us in the work of the ministry. And
this proposal was made for the present, persons manifesting
themselves to be freely willing for the future to augment to the
aforesaid sum, according to their ability and Mr. Angier 's neces-
sity. And the townsmen and Deacon Walker were chosen to
treat with Mr. Angier about it.
"Lieut. Hunt and Ensign Peck were chosen, and desired to
go down with Mr. Angier, the next week, and to do as then is
requisite to be done in order to the settlement of Mr. Angier.
"It was also agreed that there should be a six-acre lot, in con-
venient time, laid forth below the burial place, for a building of
a house for the ministry."
It appears from the tenor of the records, that Mrs. Newman
soon removed from Rehoboth. She probably removed to Brain-
tree (now Quincy), the place of her nativity. August 30, 1678,
there is a vote of the town recorded, appointing several persons
as a committee "to treat with any person or persons that shall
be employed by Mrs. Newman, concerning her house and lands."
January 17, 1678-9, also, "It was voted, for the encouragement of
Mr. Samuel Angier to settle amongst us in the work of the minis-
try, if it please the Lord to incline his heart thereunto, to purpose
unto him to give him forty pounds in money, either to the pur-
chasing of the house and lot which were Mr. Noah Newman's,
if it please him to buy it, or towards the building of another house
and settling himself."
It was at the same time "voted by the town that Mr. Angier
shall have the use and improvement of all the lands and mead-
90 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
dow8» and all the privileges belonging to the pastors and teach-
ers' lot, as long as he doth continue in the work of the minbtiy
amongst us. It was also voted, that Mr. Angier shall have sev*
enty pounds a year for his salary, ten pounds of it in money,
and sixty in country pay; as it passeth between man and man/*
''June 25, 1679. The town voted, that Mr. Angier shall have,
for the two following years, seventv pounds for each year; ten
pounds of it in money, and fifteen of the sixty as money, and the
rest of it as it passeth between man and man, and a sufficiency of
wood to be brought to his house.
"The town chose Gilbert Brooks a deputy to attend the Gen-
eral Court.**
"July 24, 1679. The raters chosen were Mr. Daniel Smith,
John Peck, Ensign Nicholas Peck, Gilbert Brooks, and William
Carpenter.**
"May 18, 1680. Lieut. Peter Hunt and Ensign Peck chosen
deputies." "Lieut. Peter Hunt, Ensign Nicholas P^dc, and
Gilbert Brooks, selectmen.** "Mr. Daniel Smith, John Reade,
Lieut. Hunt, Ensign Peck, Gilbert Brooks, John Peck, and An-
thony Perry, townsmen.
"The townsmen acquainting the town, that the^ had a treaty
with Mr. Edward Howard to teach school, acquamted the town
with the said Mr. Howard's terms, viz: twenty pounds a vear in
country pay, and his diet, besides what the court doth aJlow in
that case. The town then did vote and agree that his proposals
were accepted, and that the speediest provisions should be made
for his maintenance; Mr. William Sabm freely proffering to diet
him the first quarter of the year.
"It was also agreed upon that William Blanding should have
half an acre of land upon the common, to build a house upon
the edge of Rocky Hill. Lieut. Hunt, Samuel Carpenter, and
John Peck were chosen to li^ out the said land, and set the ex-
pense of it, and also to pernx him a time when he shall build;
which if he neglect, he shall forfeit the land to the town again.**
This is the first time that the name "Rocky Hill" occurs in the
town records. This name is still given to a hill or elevation of
Aome extent, about a mile northwest of "Palmer's River" meet-
ing house; and from the character of its surface, no one can dispute
its title to the cognomen "rocky."
"October 22, 1680. Voted that the burying place should be
fenced in with a stone fence."
December 16» 1680. A committee was chosen by the town "to
AcU the meeting-house"; this committee consisted of Mr. Daniel
ANNALS AND RECORDS 91
Smith, Lieut. Peter Hunt» Ensign Nicholas Peck» Gilman Brooks,
and Anthony Perry.
''Mav IG, 1681. Ensign Nicholas Peck and Gilbert Brooks
were chosen deputies to the General Court; and Lieut. Peter
Hiint» Ensign Nicholas Peck, and Gilbert Brooks, selectmen.
"The same day it was voted and consented to, that the select-
men should endeavour the utmost to re-engage Mr. Howard to
keep the school another year."
"September 2, 1681. Mr. Daniel Smith, Ensi^ Nicholas Peck,
Gilbert Brooks, Thomas Cooper, Jr., and William Carpenter,
chosen raters for the year."
May 17, 1682. There is, of this date, recorded in the town book
a meeting of the proprietors of the "North Purchase," when
William Carpenter was chosen "clerk of the community" and
sworn.
May 25, 1683. "William Carpenter was chosen, and added
to the former committee that was chosen by the town to sell the
meeting-house."
December 13, 1683. "At a town meeting the townsmen pre-
sented Mr. Taylor, a schoolmaster, and the propositions that he
and the townsmen treated upon, viz: that he should have for the
present year £5 in money, £10 as money, and his diet: upon which
the town voted that he should be engaged for the year; upon which
agreement of the town the townsmen met the jGirst of December,
1683, and did fully agree with the said Mr. Taylor for to keep school
one year upon the terms aforesaid."
"May 19, 1684. Sergeant Jonathan Bliss was chosen by the
town, and added to the committee to sell the meeting-house.
"Lieut. Nicholas Peck and Gilbert Brooks chosen deputies."
At his Majesty's Court of Assistants held at New Plymouth,
July 7, 1685, a Deed of Confirmation was given, rehearsing that
"The first grant of the said township being eight miles square
[was] granted in the year 1641 unto Alexander Winchester, Rich-
ard Wright, Mr. Henry Smith, Mr. Joseph Peck, Mr. Stephen
Paine and divers others." The bounds in this old deed are
mostly indicated by marked trees, trenches or heaps of stones,
which after 232 years have disappeared. The distinguishing limits
of the town, however, have continued to be sufficiently plain.
This Deed of Confirmation is printed in full in Bliss's History
of Rehoboth (pp. 122-125), copied from the Plymouth Colony
Record of Deeds (Vol. V, p. 341).
02 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
June 11> 1686, the printed laws were publicly read in a town
meeting by order of the Governor.
May 28, 1689. The town "voted that Mr. An^er should have a
small tract of low ground, by the meeting house side, to make a gar-
den plot near the orchard that Sam, the Indian, formerly planted.'*
August 9, 1689. Samuel Peck and Thomas Cooper were chosen
deputies, and instructed to endeavor ''to procure from the wor-
shipful Major Bradford" a quitclaim deed of the lands in the town
of Rehoboth, and to sell enough of the undivided land belonging
to the town to obtain this deed. The following is a copy of a
part of this deed, with the annexed Ibt of the inhabitants and
proprietors of the town: —
QuiTCLAUi Deed of William Bradford to thb
Town of Rehoboth.
(Abridged)
"Whereas the late William Bradford, my honored father was
invested by virtue of a grant by letters patent from the Honor-
able Council established at Plimouth in the County of Devon,
in the realm of England for the planting, ruling, and governing
of New England in America, derivating from our late Sovereign
Lord King James the First, tracts of land which lie within and be-
tween the limits and bounds of said letters patent, and all lands,
rivers .... lying or being within or between any the said limits
(viz.) a certain rivulet or rundlet there commonly called Cohasset
alias Conihasset towards the north, and the river common^
called Narraganset river towards the south, and the great western
ocean towards the east, and between within a straight line direcUv
extending up into the main land towards the west from the mouth
of said river called Narraganset river to the utmost limits and
bounds of a country or place in New-England commonly called
Pochanoket alias Sowamset westward, and another straight line
extending itself directly from the mouth of the said river Cohas-
set alias Conihasset towards the west so far up into the mainland
westward as the utmost limits of the said country or place com-
monly called Pochanoket alias Sowamset, do extend with all
rights as in said patent is ratified and confirmed under the common
seal of said Council bearing date the thirteenth day of January,
1629, wherein, among other favors, is also expressed the said
Council's great respect that so hopeful plantations might not
only subsist but also might be encouraged to proceed in so pious
a work which might effectively tend to the propagation of religion
which was also the chief and known end of their first adventure
in this vast howling desert: and whereas, the said
'"William Bradford my father
in the year of our Lord 1641
ANNALS AND RECORDS 93
ffranted to Joseph Peck, Stephen Paine, Henry Smith, Alexander
Winchester, Thomas Cooper, Gent, and others with them a tract
of land for a plantation or township formerly called by the natives
Secunke, upwards of forty-five years since settled and planted^
now called by the name of Rehoboth: and likewise for several
i rears since the inhabitants of said town did purchase a tract of
and as additional and enlarging of said town, of Thomas Prince,
Esq'r, The Governor, Major Josiah Winslow, Capt. Thomas
Southworth, and Constant Southworth Esq*r agents for the Colony
of New Plimouth as may fully appear by an instrument given in the
name of the said Colony under the seak of the said agents, bearing
date the tenth of April Anno Domini 1666. [The North Purchase].
"Now Know Ybb that I William Bradford of New Plimouth,
for the ends before mentioned and also for and in consideration
of the sum of fifteen pounds in Current money of New England
to me in hand well and truly paid by Daniel Smith, Peter Hunt,
John Brown, John Peck, Nicholas Peck, Gilbert Brooks, Thomas
Cooper, Samuel Newman, William Carpenter, Samuel Peck,
Stephen Paine, Richard Bowen, Ensign Tnomas Wilmarth, yeo-
men, some of the Proprietors of said tract and tracts, and most
of them ancient inhabitants of said town of Rehoboth, by these
presents for me and my heirs do grant, remise, release and for-
ever quitclaim, unto the said Daniel Smith, etc. and to their heirs
and assigns forever, all such right, estate, title, interest, posses-
sion and demand whatsoever which I, the said William Bradford
have or ought to have," etc.
[This deed was entered on record at Bristol, April 21, 1735, in
the 23d book, folio, pages 356 to 360 inclusive. See also Bliss,
pp. 125 to 127.)
"A list of the names of the inhabitants and proprietors of the
Towne of Rehoboth having Rights and Titles to the Measuages,
Tenements and Lands contained in the above written Instrument
hereunto annexed and affixed, which hath been reade and allowed
in a full Towne meeting, flebruary the 7th, 1689: —
InhahUanti. John Hunt,
Mr. Samuel Angeir, Ephrahim Hunt,
Deacon Thomas Cooper. Rice Leonard,
Joseph Peck, sen'r. Sara*l. Butterworth,
John flitch. Philip Walker,
John Woodock, sen'r. ffrancis Stevens, sen'r.
Serj. Thomas Ueade, John Orrasby.
George Kenricke, Nathaniel Chaffee.
Nichollas Ide. sen*r. Samuel Sahin.
George Robinson, sen'r. Serj. Preserved Able.
Robert Wheaton. Daniell Reade.
Richard Martin. Israll Reade.
John Peren. James Sabin.
Jonathan ffuller. sen'r. John Sabin.
Enoch Hunt. Noah Sabin.
HISTORY OP REHOBOTH
liJuMUiiU.
The Uuna of TImiiih Kenriek,
Samuel Robiuon,
MoMM Reads,
Mr. Chrislophcr Sandan,
Junab Palmer. Mo'r.
Satuuell Palmer,
Noah Maaoa,
Samuell Miboq,
Nicholas lile, juo'r.
Sam'l. Millerd, lea'r.
Sam'l. Millerd, jr.
John Hall,
John Rcdway,
Sam'l. Carpeoter,
John Titlui.
Samuell Tittiu,
Joseph Tlttus,
Job a Carpenter,
Tbomat. Grant.
John Wiltmatb.
Samuel Bliie.
JoDathan Blise,
Joseph liuckland,
Samuell Paioe.
Joseph Browne,
William Carpeater, jr.
IhcIc Allen.
Thomas Willmath, jr.
John Woodcok, jun r.
Iierall Woodcok,
Thomas Woodcok,
Jonathan Woodcok.
Samuel Newman, jr.
John Kinsley,
Timothy Ide,
Jonathan fluller, jun.
Jeremiah Wheaton,
John Shawe.
Joseph Sabine,
Richard Whileaker,
Samuel Bullock,
Thomas Omiaby
Thomas Man,
Itobert Millerd. aen'r.
Mr. Henry Sweeting,
Jathniell Peck.
Joshua Smitb,
John Smith.
Richard Evens,
Jamei Tburber,
Sam'J. Roweu,
Jonathan Wiltmath,
John tfrench,
JoMph Borswortb,
Joseph Peck, jun'r.
Heaekiah Pcckc,
Richard Bo wen,
Thomas Uowen, sen'r.
John Marten,
Jonah Palmer, jun'r.
Samuel Cooper,
Nalhaniell Perry.
John Daggett,
Thomas Cooper,
Joseph Daggett,
Nalhaniell Daggett,
Nathanidl Whitakcr,
Eprabim Wheaton,
A Dial) Carjienler.
James Carpenter,
Joseph Maton,
Joseph Buckland, jun'r.
Baruk Buckland,
Sillas Titus.
Nalb, Paine, jun'r.
William llobeuson,
Josiah Carpenter,
(Francis Stevens, jun'r.
Richard Boiten, jun'r.
Joseph Millerd,
Benjamin Millerd,
John Bowen.
Benjamin Robinion,
David Newman,
David Suller,
John Jeukingi,
John Jonson,
Daniel I Shepard, sen.
David Sreeman,
James Wilson,
James Welch,
John nullock,
John Callender,
John Bartlet's heires.
Thonaa Cooper and
Cooper, sons of Nath. Cooper.
The lleirea of Benjamin Buckland,
Samuell ffuller.
The Heires of Eldad Kinsley,
Jonathan Carpenter,
Zacheriah Carpenter,
Abraham Carpenter,
The llcires of Robert Joane*.
Daniel! Sabin, son of NehemiAh Sa-
George Robinson, jr.
Isake Mason,
Tliomn Bowen,
The Ileir«a of William Allen,
ANNALS AND RECORDS
95
Thomas Smith,
Henry Smith,
Abiall Smith,
Ebennezar Walker,
John Reade and Thomas Reade,
The Heires of John Reade, jun'r.
Eliphellet Carpenter,
Rebeka Carpenter, daughter of
Abiah Carpenter,
Mary Walker,
Mary Orrasby,
Jacob Ormsby*s daughter.
The Heires of Mr. Pilebeame,
James Myles and Nathaniel Myles,
sons of Mr. John Myles,
The Heires of John Savage,
Philip Amidowne,
Henry Ammidowne,
Proprietors not inhabitants.
James Drowne, Esq.
Thomas Daggett, Esq.
Mr. Nathaniell Paine,
Mr. John Allen, sen*r.
Mr. Henry Newman,
Deacon John Butterworth,
Mrs. Elizabeth Viall,
Daniell Allen,
Obidiah Bowen, sen*r.
Samuell Viall,
William Ingraham,
Mr. NicholTas Taner,
Mr. Andrew Willet,
Mr. Philip Squire,
Obadiah Bowen, jun*r.
John Paine,
Joseph Chaffee,
Henry Sweet,
Mr Samuel Myles,
Joseph Carpenter,
Benjamin Carpenter,
John Carpenter, jun*r.
Benjamin ffuller,
Thomas Wood,
Iserail Peck,
John Allen, jun*r.
Elizabeth Patey,
Ens. Tho. Estabrooks,
William Howard,
John Blakstone,
Jarctt Ingraham,
John Lovell,
Mr. Noah ffloaide,
Anthony Sprague,
The Heirs of Humphrey Tiffany,
George Webb,
Thomas Barnes,
Richard Daggerworth,
Joseph Woodard,
Thomas Patey.
"December 17, 1692. The town council and selectmen of Re-
hoboth delivered to Ensign Thomas Read 136 pounds of powder
and 250 pounds of bullets, to be taken care of by him for the town,
and not to be disposed of but by the order of the selectmen of the
town."
"May 1, 1693. Samuel Peck was chosen and elected to serve
as the town representative in the great and general assembly."
This was the year after the union of the colonies of Plymouth
and Massachusetts Bay under the charter of William and Mary,
and Mr. Peck was the first representative from the town to the
General Court of Massachusetts.
"August 16, 1663. It was voted by the town, that as it was
their desire, so it should be their utmost endeavour to obtain Mr.
Thomas Greenwood to dispense the word of God unto us in the
time of our vacancy, until our reverend pastor, Mr. Angier, re-
turns to continue with us. In order hereunto Mr. Samuel Peck
and Joseph Browne were chosen by the town to go down to Mr.
Greenwood, this week, to do their endeavour to bring him up this
week, if it may." "A committee was also chosen to agree with
Mr. Angier, in behalf of the town, respecting his support and main-
tenance."
96 HISTORY OP REHOBOTH
Mr. Angler was at this time at Cambridge, whither he had
removed in the hitter part of 1692, or the early part of 1683, as-
signing, as the cause of his removal, ill health.
'"September 1 1, 1693. It was voted that there should be a letter
written in the town's name to our reverend pastor, BIr. Angier,
that they may know his mind about his return."
This letter Mr. Angier answered in person; and, de^Murtng of
the recovery of his health so as to be able to resume his duties
as minister of Rehoboth, he took his leave of his churdi and
people, recommending to them the Rev. Thomas Greoiwood as a
suitable person to fill the station which he regretted to be
obliged to resign.
Mr. Angier was bom in 1655 (probably at Cambridge), grad-
uated at Harvard Collie in 1673, and was a member of the
Board of Fellows of that university. He was settled as the pastor
of Rehoboth in the year 1679, whence he removed, as was before
stated, in 1692 or 1693, to Cambridge. His residence at Cambridge
was short. Having regained his health, he was chosen on the 28th
of August, 1696, by the church in that part of ancient Watertown
which is now Waltham, to be their pastor; and on the 21st of
September following, the town concurred in the choice, and he
was installed pastor of Watertown, May 25, 1697. Here, after
an eminent and successful ministry, he died, January 21, 1719,
aged sixty-five.
Mr. Angier married the daughter of the Rev. Urian Oakes,
fourth president of Harvard University, and her mother was the
daughter of the celebrated Dr. William Ames, author of the
**MedvUa TheologiaCt** and a professor at the university of Rotter-
dam. His son, the Rev. John Angier, was the first pastor of the
east parish of the ancient Bridgewater, where he was ordained,
October 28, 1724. lie was bom in 1701, graduated at Harvard
University in 1720, married a daughter of Ezra Bourne, Esq., of
Sandwich, and died April 14, 1787, aged eighty-six, having been
minister of East Bridgewater fifty-two years. His son, Samuel,
who graduated at Harvard in 1763, was ordained his colleague
at East Bridgewater, December 23, 1767, and died January 18,
1805, in the sixty-second year of his age. His other son, Oakes
Angier, was an attorney settled at Bridgewater, and a man of
some eminence in his profession. lie left a family, one of whom,
John, settled at Belfast, Me.
ANNALS AND RECORDS* 97
A daughter of the Rev. John Angier was married to the Rev.
Ephraim Hyde, subsequently a mmister of Rehoboth.
"October 1, 1693» the town voted that the former committee
chosen by the town, August 15th last, shall be further empowered,
not only to treat with Mr. Thomas Greenwood for his support
and maintenance, while he continues in the work of the ministry
among us, but also have full power to treat and agree with him
respecting his settlement as the minister of the town."
Mr. Greenwood complied with the invitation and was settled
as the minister of Rehoboth in October of 1693. The town agreed
to give him "ninety-five pounds of current silver money of New-
England towards his settlement; and, for his comfortable sub-
sistence, the contribution of strangers and seventy pounds yearly,
to be paid him, one third in current silver money, as aforesaid,
and the other two-thirds in beef, pork, and all sorts of merchant-
able corn, rye, and butter, and cheese, and merchantable boards*
at the current price, set upon them yearly by the selectmen of the
town."
The use of the pastors' and teachers' lands was also granted
him, so long as he should continue in the work of the ministry
in Rehoboth.
July 6, 1696. Deacon Samuel Newman was chosen representa-
tive to the General Court at Boston. This was the third meeting
for the choice of a representative, this year; a great number
having been successively elected, but immediately declined serving.
This year there is mention made of a Doctor Richard Bowen,
who was chosen, July 27th, one of the assessors.
"January 4, 1697. The town voted that the stray Indians
should be warned out of town, that are hunting in town."
"October 4, 1698. The town voted, that a schoolmaster, as
the law directs, should be attained, and the selectmen should en-
deavour the gaining one, and likewise agree with him, when at-
tained, for his encouragement to keep school."
"November 21, 1698. The selectmen met and ordered that
the school-house should be repaired and made fit for to keep
school in, and ordered William Carpenter to procure shingles,
boards, and nails, and what else is wanting for fitting it up, on the
town's account."
"March 15, 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
98 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
week in April, at the farthest; and for his labour he is to have
three pounds, half in silver money, the one half of it when he has
kept half the term, and the other half when his quarter is expired:
the last part of his pay in com equivalent to money/'
""December 4, 1699. The selectmen agreed with Mr. Robert
Dickson to keep school in Rehoboth for six months, to begin on
Thursday, the seventh of this instant; he engaging to do his ut*
most endeavour to teach both sexes of boys and girls to read Eng-
lish, and write, and cast accounts. In consideration of said service,
the said selectmen, in the town's behalf, do engage to pay him
thirteen pounds, one half in silver money, and the other half in
good merchantable boards, at the current and merchantable
«rice; the boards to be delivered at the landing place, at Samuel
iTiJker's and Sergeant Butterworth's mill."
This landing place was at the cove at the mouth of the Ten-
mile River in Seekonk. It is said that early in the history of the
town there were wharves built out into the river near the mouth
of this cove, that stores were erected here, and considerable trade
carried on, and that the people of Providence frequently came
over here to purchase their goods.
"'June 11, 1700. The committee appointed by the town, to
procure a schoolmaster for this year, agreed with the Rev. Thomas
Greenwood, their minister, to teach the school, for the sum of
thirty pounds in current silver money."
'October 3, 1700. The town voted to repair the meeting-house."
'April 2, 1701. The town voted to enlarge the meeting-house,
by bringing the front gallery two seats farther forward, and the
side galleries, each one seat farther forward."
The name of "Oak Swamp" occurs in the records for the first
time this year.
"November 12, 1703. The town voted, that the schoolmaster
Mr. Joseph Metcalf, shall keep school at Palmer's river half the
year, viz: the last six months of this present year, that the said
schoolmaster is hired for; and the inhabitants of that part of the
town are to provide a convenient place for the schoolmaster to
keep school in."
May 15, 1704. Benjamin Allen was chosen representative,
but was "ejected the House of Representatives" (for what reason
the town records do not state); and, on the 7th day of June,
Capt. Enoch Hunt was elected in his place.
"March 19, 1705. It was voted by the town, that Ichabod
Bosworth shall have liberty to set up a hammer to go by water.
«<i
««
ANNALS AND RECORDS 99
for the blacksmith's trade, and a shop and coal-house upon the
Ox-pasture run, where the foot-path goeth down the hill, at the
point of said hill: and the said Bosworth nor his heirs are not
to raise a dam higher than to flow about an acre and a half/'
Mr. John Rogers was employed by the town to teach school
during half the year, for the sum of fifteen pounds in current silver
money of New England. He was to conmience on the 9th day of
July.
"March 18, 1706. The town appointed a committee to pro-
cure a schoolmaster for one whole year, to be qualified as the law
directs." This year, Joseph Avery was employed "to keep school
within the Ring of the Green, for a quarter of a year, for seven
pounds ten shillings, silver money."
"October 25, 1708. The town voted that there shall be a pound
set up on Palmer's river."
Mr. John Lynn taught a school in Rehoboth during three
months of the year 1708, agreeing to instruct in reading, writing,
grammar, and arithmetic, for the sum of seven pounds in current
money of New-England.
Mr. John Lynn entered into another agreement with the town,
to teach school one year from the 28th day of February, 1709,
for the sum of tWenty-nine pounds in current money of New-
England. The different divisions of the town, in which the school
was to be kept successively, this year, and from each of which
one of the school committee was taken, are named as follows in
the records, with the length of time allotted to each: "The ring
of the town" and "the neighbourhood on the east side of the ring
of the town," 21 weeks; "Palmer's river," 14 weeks; "Watche-
moquct neck,"* 13 weeks; "Capt. Enoch Hunt's neighbour-
hood," and "the mile and a half," 9 weeks.
Mr. Lynn was again enployed by the town as their school-
master in 1710, and received for his services thirty pounds.
It appears from the town records, that, in 1711, a petition was
presented to the General Court "by the inhabitants of the south-
east part of the town" (Palmer's River), to have the town divided
into two precincts for the support of the ministry, and that each
precinct should support a minister.
' This name was given to that part of the present town of Seekonk which
lies below the mouth of the Ten-mile River, along the Seekonk or Pawtucket
River and Narragansett Bay, as far down, probably, as the point of land now
called "Bullock's Neck/' and including it.
100 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
This measure the inhabitants of the older part of the town
(Seekonk) promptly and resolutely opposed. They drew up
and presented to the General Court, by way of remonstrance, a
long petition, in which they stated that a former petition of theirs
had been represented, in the petition of the people of Palmer*s
River,^ as **a heap of lies and deceits*': this is all we know of the
contents of the latter petition; the other is entered at large on the
town records.
"March 30, 1712. Voted to raise thirty pounds annually,
for the support of schools: of which the neighbourhood of Pal-
mer's river should have ten pounds, and be obliged to maintain
an English school; and the old part of the town and Watche-
moquet should have the remaining twenty pounds, and be obliged
to maintain a grammar school."
In Ifay, 1713, the General Court recommended to the town of
Rehoboth the raising of £120 for the support of two ministers, —
one at Palmer's River. Against this the majority of the town
remonstrated by a petition.
'"September 12, 1715. The town voted to build a new meeting-
house, to be fiftv feet in length and forty feet in breadth, and
twenty-five feet between joints; the town to pay towards it two
hundred and fifty pounds." It is mentioned in another plac»,
that the meeting-house "'should be so high between joints as will
be needful for two sets of galleries." It was also voted that the
new house should stand near the site of the old one.
"June 11, 1716. Voted that the meeting-house now build-
ing should be set up and raised on the east side of the old meet-
ing-house, ranging north with the old meeting-house, and thirty-
three feet eastward from it."
This new house stood a few rods south of the present Congre-
gational meeting-house in East Providence.
"March 25, 1717. The town voted that John Lyon should have
liberty to build a wharf and ware-house, at the point called Dag-
gett's point, below the hill."
This I think to be the point of land between the Ten-mile River
and the Pawtucket, upon the north side of the mouth of the former.
It appears from the records, in 1717, that the people of Palmer's
River, with the permission of the General Court, had commenced
building a meeting-house in their part of the town; and the in-
' The neighborhood of "Palmer's River" wm in the vicinity of the Orleans
Factory, and extended along the river both above and below it.
ANNALS AND RECORDS 101
habitants of the older part of the town, seeing them determined
on prosecuting their plans, agreed, provided they should be freed
from all further expense of erecting this house, to give up for
their assistance £50 of the £250 which had been voted by the
town for the erection of a meeting-house in the western and
older part of it.
"December 16, 1718. The community" (as the company as-
sociated for building the meeting-house in the western part of
the town were now called) "voted, and gave the old pulpit, be-
longing to the old meeting-house, to the congregation of Palmer's
river, to be set up in their meeting-house, provided said con-
gregation do accept of said pulpit for the use before mentioned.^'
The new meeting-house, which the people of Palmer's River
were now building, stood between the present Congregational
meeting-house of Rehoboth and the Orleans Factory, about
half a mile from the latter, and near the old burying ground,
on what is sometimes called "burying-place hill."
"December 23, 1718. It was voted by the community, that
the rules to be observed in seating the new meeting-house for the
sabbath are as followeth: firstly, to have regard to dignity of
person, and secondly by age, and thirdly according to the charge
they bare in respect to the public charges, and what charge they
have been at in building the meeting-house."
A committee was chosen to seat the house according to the above
rules.
The fifty pounds voted by the town and "community," to aid
in building the meeting-house at Palmer's River, on condition
that the town were freed from all further expense connected
with it, were accepted by the inhabitants of Palmer's River, who
also entered into an engagement to clear the town from all further
expiense in relation to their house. The following list of the names
of those who bound themselves to this agreement, may serve to
give us some idea of the number and names of the families who
constituted the neighborhood of Palmer's River: —
Samuel Peck, The mark X of Joshua Smith, jun'r.
Jethanial Peck, Solomon Millard, Ichabod Peck,
Joshua Smith, Thomas Bliss, Ephraim Millard,
Samuel Bliss, William Blanding, William Marten,
Lennox Beverly, Daniel Blanding, Jacob Bliss.
Benjamin Willson, Solomon Peck,
Abraham Carpenter, Nathaniel Smith,
102 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
'December 20, 1718. Voted that the congregation at Pklmer's
river should have for their use the facing of the old meeting-
house gallery, towards finishing their meeting-house."
''March 28, 1720. Thomas Cathcart, of Martha's yineymtd.
agreed to teach school one quarter of a year, commencing at the
middle of August, for the sum of ten pounds in money.*'
"March 10, 1720. Mr. John Greenwood agreed with the select-
men to teach school for the town, six months, for twelve pounds
for the first quarter, and the second quarter at the rate of f<M'ty-
five pounds per year."
He was the son of the Rev. Thomas Greoiwood, then their
minister; he graduated at Cambridge in 1717, and in 1721 was
settled as the minister of the western part of Rehoboth, over the
church of which his father had been pastor.
The Rev. Thomas Greenwood died September 8, 1720. at half
past 2 o'clock p. m ., aged fifty years. He was a native of Wey-
mouth, Mass., where his father died, according to minutes made
by the Rev. Thomas Greenwood, still extant,^ September 1, 1693,
in the evening. Mr. Greenwood graduated at Cambridge in 1690,
was married December 28, 1693, and came to reside in Rehoboth
the Tuesday following. Mr. Greenwood had six children, viz.:
Hannah, bom Feb. 5, 1694; John, born May 20, 1697; Noah,
bom April 20, 1699, and died March 26, 1703; Esther, bom
August 20, 1791, and died Sept. 14; Elizabeth, bom April 5, 1704;
and Esther, bom Saturday, June 25, 1709. Mrs. Greenwood died
at Weymouth, January 24, 1735.
"November 14, 1720. Whereas the church of Christ, in Re-
hoboth, having made choice of the Rev. Mr. John Greenwood to
preach the gospel amongst us for the present; the question being
put, whether the town would concur with the church's choice;
it passed in the affirmative." "Voted by the town to raise seventy
pounds per annum till we have a minister settled amongst us."
"February 13, 1721. A vote was taken for inviting Mr. Green-
wood to become the minister of the west part of the town. One
hundred and nineteen voted in favour of the measure and only five
against it."
"March 13, 1721. The town voted, that the business of both
the religious congregations of the town, — the one in the west part
of the town, and the one at Palmer's river, — should be managed
'These are a book of familv and church records, which the Rev. John
Greenwood }>equeathed to the church, and which are itill in the possession of
the Congregational Church of Seekonk.
ANNALS AND RECORDS 103
by the town as the affairs of one church; and that the expenses
of each should be borne by the whole town. The town voted also
to raise £200 for the settlement of a minister in each of the two
mccting-houscs; £100 to be appropriated to each."
The meeting-house at Palmer's River was by this time com-
pleted, and on the 29th of November, 1721, a church was gathered
here, and the Rev. David Turner, of Scituate, ordained their
minister.
'*July 8, 1723. Josiah Cotton made an agreement with the
town to keep the school in Rehoboth for the quantity of one year»
for the sum of £45."
"May 8, 1727. The town voted a bounty of 6*. to any one who
should kill a wild-cat within the limits of the town, and bring the
head to any two of the selectmen."
"April 22, 1728. Voted that the town's proportion of the sixty
thousand pounds, that is now in the Province's treasury, should
be brought into the town; and Mr. Samuel Bullock, Mr Timothy
Walker, and Mr. John Willmarth were chosen trustees, to transact
about the money." It was also voted, "that this money be let
out to the inhabitants of the town by the trustees; and that none
be allowed to have more than ten pounds, nor less than five."
June 10, 1728. The Rev. John Greenwood and the Rev. David
Turner presented a petition to the town for an increase of their
salaries, stating that their present salaries were inadequate to
their comfortable support. The town, in answer to their petition,
voted to add to Mr. Greenwood's salary £20, and to Mr. Turner's
£30, making the sum of the respective salaries of each £100.
"March 31, 1729. It was proposed for the town's consideration,
whether it might not be proper to build a house for the enter-
tainment of such poor people as are, or shall be, destitute of a
house to dwell in. The town by vote adjourned or deferred the
matter till the next general town meeting. '
"May 21, 1733. John Pierce of Rehoboth brought a wild-cat's
head before the town, and his ears were cut off by Thomas Car-
penter, constable, in the presence of one or more of the selectmen
of the town of Rehoboth. '
In the year 1734, the town expended for the support of schools
£60.
During the year 1735, the town obtained leave of the General
Court to sell the several small pieces of school land, that lay
scattered in different parts of the town, "provided that they pur-
104 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
chased other real estate, in one entire tract, with the proceeds of
said sale, to be appropriated for the use of the schools in Rehoboth»
and for no other use whatever."
''November 3, 1735. Thirty pounds were voted towards up-
holding the grammar school in town.'' And November 6th, sixty
pounds were added to the thirty for the support of schools in town.
''March 29, 1736. Voted to build a work-house for the poor
of the town."
"October 22, 1736. Ten pounds were granted towards the sup-
port of the gospel in the north-east part of the town."
This was probably granted to a Baptist congregation, though
no church was organized (according to Benedict) in this part of
the town till 1743, the date of the organization of "Round's
church."
"November 15, 1736. The town voted to raise £140 for the sup-
port of the ministry, £70 of which were to be paid to the Rev.
John Greenwood, and the other £70 to the Rev. David Turner."
"March 28, 1737. Forty pounds were voted towards the salaiy
of a schoolmaster; and what is needed more is to be made up
out of the town treasury."
In 1739, £80 were expended for the support of schools. During
this year the town voted to give the Rev. John Greenwood and
the Rev. David Turner each £200 yearly, in "the present cur-
rency." The currency here referred to was probably the bills
of credit issued by the General Court of Massachusetts, and
which, as appears by the doubling of their salaries, had already
depreciated one-half. The town also voted to grant a salary to
the elder of the Baptist church in Rehoboth.
"March 31, 1740. Peter Bowen and Ebenezer Cole were
chosen to inform of all breaches of an act in addition to an act
for the better preservation and increase of deer."
In the year 1741, a highway two rods wide was laid out by the
town, "from Pawtucket Falls till it come to the line between
Rehoboth and Attlcborough, into the county road leading to-
wards Mendon, laid out on the 3d or 4th day of October, 1684."
In 1742 the town expended £70 for the support of schools;
and in 1743, £90 were appropriated for the same object.
In 1743, the prices of grain, agreed on between the town and
the ministers, and at which rates the latter were to receive it in
ANNALS AND RECORDS 105
the payment of their salaries, were as follows, viz.: wheat at l&s.
per bushel, rye 12^., Indian corn 9«., oats 5^., barley 10^.
In 1744, £65 were expended for the support of schools, and in
the year following, £125.
The Rev. David Turner, in addition to the duties of a clergy-
man, sometimes practised the healing art, to which he appears
to have given some attention before studying divinity. In the
year 1746, "the Rev. David Turner is allowed £5 for adminis-
tering medicine to one of the poor of the town."
In 1746 the town raised for the support of schools £125, in
1747, £170, in 1748, £200, and in 1749, £300.
"May 23, 1749. Voted that the sum of £40 of bills of credit,
of the old tenor, be added to the ministerial tax the present year,
to make up the deficiency occasioned by what is to be paid out of
it to Mr. Checkly, minister of the church of England at Prov-
idence."
In 1750, the town raised for the support of schools £30, in 1751,
the same sum, and in 1752, £38.
"May 1762. Voted that the meeting-house in the west part
of the town be covered with new shingles, and the south side of
the said house be repaired with new clapboarding and new win-
dows with sash glass.'*
March 25, 1754. The town voted to build a pound at Palmer*s ,
River. This year the town expended for the support of schools
£38, in the year following, £30, in 1756, £68, in 1757 and 1758
the same sum.
It appears from a letter addressed to the church by him, that
in 1757 Mr. Greenwood was obliged, in consequence of bodily
infirmity, to resign his pastoral charge over his church in Reho-
both. He also, at the request of the town, relinquished his yearly
salary and his claim to the profits of the ministerial lands, on con-
dition of the church, or town, or individuals, becoming responsible
for the payment of £20 to him yearly during his life. The fol-
lowing is a copy of his letter: —
"Rehoboth, December yc 2d, 1757.
"To the First Church of Christ in Rehoboth, under my pastoral
care.
** Bretheren:
"Whereas, by divine Providence, I am rendered unable,
through bodily infirmity, to carry on the work of the ministry
any longer, after 30 odd years labour therein: and whereas you
presented to me the town's resolution, not to grant any support
106 HISTORY OP REHOBOTII
for another minister here, except I release my salary, ye minis-
tering lands, and quit my pastorial office: although I think not
reasonable m the town to defer it; yet for peace's sake, and that
the gospel might not be hindered, I release my salary, from the
eleventh day of March next and forever after; and I also release
the ministry lands in said town from any claime or any improve-
ment from me after the first of March next, as aforesaid. And
by the advice of some ministers and bretheren, called to advise
in the affair, and at the desire of this church, I do likewise prom-
ise to ask and to receive of this church a dismission from my
pastoral office over them, as soon as a council of churches can
conveniently sit for the orderly doing of it; provided the church,
particular persons, or the town, or any or all of them, will come
under obligation, for my support and maintenance during my
natural life, to give me twenty pounds annually, to be paid, one
half in money, and the other half in specie equal to money; the
first year to be paid, the eleventh day of Marcn, A. D. 1759; and
so from year to year, by the eleventh of March successively, during
my natural life, as aforesaid, and that I and my estate be not
taxed towards public charges.
'*JoHN Greenwood/*
These propositions the church and town readily acceded to,
and forty-seven individuals pledged themselves jointly to raise
annually the support required, agreeing to give yearly various
sums each, from ''two pounds'* to ''two bushels of com'* or ''two
bushels of rye.'*
Mr. Greenwood died December 1, 1766, having lived in Reho-
both between forty-five and forty-six years. He was bom at Re-
hoboth. May 20, 1697, graduated at Cambridge in 1717, was
married May 25, 1721, and ordained minister of Rehoboth in the
same year. Mr. Greenwood had fourteen children, the most of
whom died young.
Mr. Greenwood was succeeded in the ministry by the Rev.
John Games, a native of Boston, and former minister of Stone-
ham. He was installed over the first Congregational church in
Rehoboth, April 18, 1759, and was dismissed by request Dec. 4,
1764. He graduated at Cambridge in 1742. His wife was Mary,
a daughter of Mr. John Lewis of Lynn. He died at Lynn, October
12, 1802, aged 78 years. From the time of the death of the latter
Mr. Greenwood, the affairs of the town and the churches became
distinct, and will hereafter be so related in our history.
From the following record in the church book it appears that
some opposition was made to the settlement of Mr. Games: —
ANNALS AND RECORDS 107
"The council that installed Mr. Carnes was a mutual council,
chosen by those who were for his settlement and by those who
opposed it. And the votes of the council were unanimous and in
favor of pastor and church."
After this the disaffection, instead of abating, grew more pro-
nounced, much to the annoyance of the pastor and his friends.
''Councils were called and results drawn up'* without revealing
any serious objections against Mr. Carnes.
It seems to have been a case of personal dislike or prejudice
without any good reason for it. After five years, the difficulty
still persisting, a council of eight churches was called, to which
the trouble was submitted, the "aggrieved brethren," to the num-
ber of forty-two, signing an agreement to abide by its decision.
The council, finding nothing inconsistent with either the Chris-
tian or ministerial character of Mr. Carnes, commended him and
advised his remaining. "The aggrieved," however, instead of
quieting down, petitioned the General Court for a committee to
investigate the difficulty. A committee of five were sent and ex-
amined the conditions. In their report they commended the pas-
tor as "blameless, having approved himself a good minister of
Jesus Christ; but there appeared an unhappy alienation of af-
fection in his people to him and incurable, which was the true
cause of our advising to his separation."
In compliance with this advice, and by his own request, Mr.
Carnes was dismissed from the pastoral relation to this church,
Dec. 4, 1764, by a council which met at his house. So ended this
pastorate of four years and eight months, which had been un-
comfortable to both parties, and barren of spiritual results.
Mr. Carnes removed to Boston, his native place, whence in
1776 he entered the American Army as chaplain and continued
to the close of the war.
He afterwards resided in Lynn, where he was justice of the
peace, and for nine years representative to the General Court,
and in 1788 he was a member of the convention to ratify the
Constitution of the United States.
May 14, 1766, the Rev. Ephraim Hyde was ordained pastor
of the First Congregational Church in Rehoboth, in the place of
Rev. John Carnes.
Mr. Hyde was a native of Pomfret, Ct., graduated at Yale
College in 1758, married, in 1767, Mary Angier, daughter of the
106 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
Rev. John Angier, the first minister of the east parish of Bridge-
water. They had five children. He was pastor of this church
seventeen years, and was much beloved by his people. He died
October 11» 1783, aged forty-five years, and was interred in the
old burying-ground near his church.
On the death of her husband, Mrs. Hyde, with her children,
returned to Bridgewater, where she died in 1788, aged forty-eight.
Mr. Hyde was succeeded by Rev. John Ellis. He was bom at
Cambridge, Mass., in 1727, and graduated at Cambridge Univer-
sity in 1750. He preached at Norwich, Ct., till the commence-
ment of the Revolutionary War, when he entered the American
Army as chaplain and continued during the whole war. He was
installed over this church March 30, 1785, and dismissed, at his
own request, in 1796, in consequence of old age and infirmities.
He died at Norwich, Ct., in 1805 or 1806 at the age of seventy-
eight.
His son, James Ellis, Esq., graduated at Brown University,
studied law, and located himself for a while at Rehoboth, whence
he removed to Taunton.
During Mr. Ellis's ministry here he was involved in a long series
of difficulties which greatly hindered his usefulness and aroused
much ill-will and bitter controversy. For this unsavory wrangle
among men professedly religious, the precinct system was in part
responsible. Owing to changed religious conditions since its adop-
tion some thirty years previously, it had become incompetent for
its purpose, which was to finance the church.
The Congregationalists who owned the church property, and
for whose benefit the system had been devised, were now a minor-
ity. To tax the whole precinct for the benefit of the Congrega-
tional Church and Society, while not illegal, had come to mean
"taxation without representation."
At a meeting legally called, the precinct voted to pay the Rev.
John Ellis one hundred pounds a year, to be raised, so far as needful,
by a tax on the polls and estates of the inhabitants of the precinct.
Although by this action the whole precinct was legally held for the
minister's salary, it seemed to create no friction at the time.
The pinch was to come later. It should be said that at this period
there were several Baptist bodies in town whose ministers were
often unlettered men who received little or no compensation for
preaching, and who were wont to denounce ''hireling priests*' and
ANNALS AND RECORDS 109
an educated ministry^ and naturally their people shared these
convictions. Backus, the Baptist historian, says with reference
to the manner of raising Mr. Ellis's salary, 'This sum (100 pounds)
was voted by but little more than twenty men, and near three
hundred men were taxed to pay for it." Of course the three hun-
dred ought to have attended the meeting and voted their con-
victions, and saved themselves from the unhappy consequences
of their neglect.
However, the vote was not carried into effect, and at the end
of four years Mr. Ellis had received no part of his salary. At the
earnest solicitation of his friends, a meeting of the precinct was
called and assessors chosen to collect money sufficient to discharge
the first year's salary. An officer was sent out with the "rate-
streaks" and warrant to make the collection, but he encountered
strong opposition. The idea of a tax for the minister's support
had become odious. The act was declared to be criminal and even
the minister was not spared. Little money was collected and Mr.
Ellis received nothing. The method had failed and the people
were aroused. The precinct determined to stop all collections
and to pay no back dues.
At length five years had passed and Mr. Ellis had received very
little money except voluntary offerings from his friends. Finding
himself in debt and sorely straitened for funds, he sued the pre-
cinct for his salary. The suit was tried in the court of common
pleas, by a jury, who gave in for the plaintiff. The precinct ap-
pealed to the Supreme Judicial Court, where they were again de-
feated and Mr. Ellis had judgment in his favor.
Nettled by these decisions, the precinct sought to get rid of the
minister. At a meeting held February 7, 1791, it was voted" that
the precinct do not agree that the Rev. John Ellis shall officiate
as a minister in said precinct, at the expense of said precinct."
At a meeting lawfully called, and held Sept. 5th of the same
year, the precinct made in substance the following proposition: —
That if the society attending on the Rev. Mr. John Ellis's
preaching would pay all arrearages in Mr. Ellis's salary, and all the
costs and charges of the court in the recent law-suits and guarantee
the precinct against any future tax or suit for a like purpose, the
precinct would agree to allow the society the interest arbing on
the precinct's money and the use of the precinct's meeting-house.
The Congregational Society took no notice of this offer, knowing
110 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
that the property belonged to them by the conditions on which
it was given.
The precinct's next move was to shut Mr. Ellis and his people
from the meeting-house. This they did on Sunday Oct. 24, 1791.
Going to church as usual, they found the doors closed and barred
and the house guarded and were forced to retire. The next Sunday
they found the conditions similiar, but after a time the doors were
opened and a Mr. Northrup, a Baptist elder, quickly entered the
pulpit. Soon after, Mr. Ellis came in and advanced toward the
pulpit, but when he came to the stairs, he was so violently op-
posed by two men seated on them for that purpose that he found
it impracticable to proceed. The men who were seated on the
stairs and made the forcible resistance were afterwards arrested
and sentenced to pay the costs of prosecution, amounting to
ninety-five pounds, fifteen shillings and eleven pence. "A high
price,** says the narrator, "for a seat upon the stairs in a decayed
meeting-house.**
The Sunday following, however, Mr. Ellis found the pulpit
stairs doubly guarded and the Rev. Isaac Backus, the Baptist
author, in the pulpit.
Mr. Ellis and his people being now convinced that the object
of the precinct was to introduce and establish a Baptist denomina-
tion, and wholly shut them out of the meeting-house, repaired to
Mr. Ellis*s bouse and were compelled, for a while, to worship in
private bouses.
The precinct appointed a supply committee consisting of Bap-
tists, and directed them to hire the Rev. Philip Slade, a Baptist
elder, for three months.
Mr. Ellis and his society could see but one way out of the diffi-
culty, and that was to petition the General Court for an act of
incorporation making them an independent body politic.
The precinct used every means to defeat the purpose of the peti-
tioners, but without avail.
The General Court, believing the petitioners to have been in-
jured and that their religious rights had been invaded, granted
their request and they were incorporated by the name of the
Congregational Society of the first precinct of the town of Reho-
both, June 23, 1792, at the same time the act of 1762 incorporating
the first precinct was repealed.
The trustees of the incorporated society promptly demanded
ANNALS AND RECOIIDS 111
of the precinct the meeting-house and also the money which had
been entrusted to them for the support of the Congregational
minister.
The precinct refused compliance, and continued to hold the
meeting-house and to make whatever use of the money they
pleased. The incorporated society now invoked the strong arm
of the law to secure their rights. Two actions were commenced:
one a civil suit for recovery of the fund; the other was brought
under the statute of forcible entry and detainer. The Society
must prove that the house was forcibly detained from them, by
actually attempting to enter and take possession. This resulted
in what is known as *'The Long Meeting,*^
Mr. Ellis, on repairing to the church Sunday morning, found
the desk occupied by Elder Philip Slade and several others who
were determined to monopolize the service. When the trustees
demanded the pulpit for their minister, the elder began to read
rapidly in a loud voice so as to drown all other voices. After a
time one of the trustees rose and commanded silence and urged
the right of the Society to occupy the house. But disregarding
him, the elder with his assistants were in constant employ, read-
ing, singing and exhorting, while the sympatlietic hearers re-
sponded in loud vociferations. These excercises continued pas-
sionately from nine o'clock in the morning till nine o'clock in the
evening. Notice was given that Mr. Ellis would lecture the next
morning at nine o'clock. Some of both parties remained in the
church over night. The following morning, when the trustees
tried to get the desk for Mr. Ellis, '*cIamor, jargon and confusion
ensued.*' And so by changing exhorters the exercises went on
through that day and the next and every succeeding day for about
two weeks, effectually excluding Mr. Ellis from the pulpit. Finally,
both parties, wearied with the strife, withdrew, and under the
statute above referred to, the Congregationalists had possession
of the meeting-house. The precinct retaliated by procuring a
writ of ejectment. This brought the title of the meeting-house
squarely in question. After a while the case came to trial and also
the action for the recovery of the fund, and in both the Society
were successful.
From these decisions the precinct appealed to the Supreme
Judicial Court; at Taunton, in the October term, 1794, both cases
were tried and determined. Learned counsel were employed on
112 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
both sides* in a hearing which lasted two days and a half, with the
result that the juries returned a verdict in favor of the Congre-
gational Society, and the controversy was ended.
From this account we suggest the following observations:
1. The precinct system of raising money to pay the minister
was but a repetition of the former town system and failed for the
same reason, viz.: An increasing population and a changing reli-
gious belief.
2. The attempt to tax a community for the support of religion
was evidently unsound in principle and offensive in practice.
3. The Congregationalists of the first precinct, knowing that
many of the inhabitants were of other sects, should have avoided
the issue of a religious tax. The example of the second precinct
should have led them to shun this error, as it taxed only those
"inhabitants who attend this meeting.*' In one instance six
pounds were refunded to persons who had been unwittingly
assessed.
4. Had a majority of the voters of the first precinct done their
duty at the polls, they would have avoided a harmful and far-
reaching scandal.
Mr. Ellis was succeeded by Rev. John Hill, a native of Lewiston,
Delaware. He was bom Feb. 11, 1759; was educated at Lewis-
ton, and began to preach Nov. 29, 1787. His wife was Miss Roby
Bowen, who was born in Coventry, R.I., Nov. 29, 1766. They
were married Sep. 1, 1794. They had two children, Sarah and
Martha V. Mr. Hill began as an itinerant Methodist, preaching
in Lynn, Waltham, Boston, and also in the Southern States, and
taught school for eight years in Warren, R.I. He was installed over
this church Sept. 22, 1802.
In addition to his pastoral work he kept a private school, teach-
ing the Hebrew, Greek and Latin languages, as well as English
literature. Mr. Hill was a popular teacher and much loved by
his people, including the children and youth. He continued his
pastoral services up to and including the Sabbath preceding his
death, which occurred in 1816.
Here follows a list of the pastors of the Newman Church and
their time of service, to the division of the town in 1812: —
Rev. Samuel Newman, 1643-1663.
Rev. Zachariah Symes, 1663-1666; on account of infirm health.
ANNALS AND RECORDS 113
Rev. John Miles was engaged for a time to lighten his labors.
(Pages 49, 50, 51, 52.)
Rev. Noah Newman, 1668-1678. (Pages 58, 59, 60, 61, 88.)
Rev. Samuel Angier, 1679-1092-93. (Pages 89, 90, 96.)
Rev. Thomas Greenwood, 1693-1720. (Pages 97, 102.)
Rev. John Greenwood, 1721-1757. (Pages 102, 105, 106.)
Rev. John Carnes, 1759-1764. (Pages 106, 107.)
Rev. Ephraim Hyde, 1766^1783. (Pages 107, 108.)
Rev. John Ellis, 1785-1796. (Pages 108-112.)
Rev. John Hill, 1802-1816. (Page 112.)
From 1759 to 1772 the town raised annually, for the support of
schools, 80 pounds, with the exception of the year 1677, when 100
pounds were raised.
In 1760 the term "dollars'* occurs in the town records for the
first time.
In 1763 the town "voted to petition the General Court for a
lottery in order to raise a sufficient sum of money to build a work-
house for the use of the poor of the town.*'
In 1772 the town "voted for schooling to be added to the profits
of the school land £93. 13^." From 1772 to 1778 the town raised
annually for the support of schools the sum of £90; in 1778,
£200; in 1779, £300 were raised for the same object.
8
CHAPTER in
THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR AND EVENTS
FOLLOWING
In our survey of the history of Rehoboth» we have now come to
the period of the Revolutionary War, which had its beginning
with the alarm of April 19, 1775, and its close with the Peace of
Paris, September 3, 1783. We have but scanty materials for
our history, but the few we have reveal a spirit of loyalty and
patriotic seal for the rights of the people. Among the causes
leading to the war may be mentioned the treaty of 1748, in which
England restored Louisburg to the French without the consent
of the Americans; the Stamp Act which required Government
stamps to be affixed on all legal documents executed in the Ameri-
can Colonies; and the Quartering Act which required the colonists
to find lodging and provisions for the British troops. All these
oppressions by the English Government aroused the colonists
to declare their independence and to take up arms against the
King, '^he eloquence of Otis had electrified New England:
one spirit now inspired every breast. The people thought and felt
and acted as one. And the sentiment which pervaded alike the
colonial assembly, the county convention and the town meeting
throughout Massachusetts, was a settled and firm resolve to re-
sist to the last extremity every encroachment upon their rights,
and to maintain those rights at all hazards." The men of Re-
hoboth were mostly farmers with a natural love of thrift and in-
dependence, and the patriotic instructions they gave to their
representative in 1773 have the strong, steady glow of anthracite
and the clear ring of a silver coin.
"To Captain Joseph Barney, Representative for the town of
Rehoboth.
''Sir,
"It is evident from the repeated suffrages of the freeholders
and other inhabitants of this town, that your late conduct in the
General Assembly of this Province has met with a favourable
reception. With pleasing hopes and expectations we trust you
will, in this day of general oppression and invasion of our natural
and inherent rights and liberties, join in every salutary and con-
r.. .1
THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 116
stitutional measure to remove those unconstitutional burdens
and grievances, that this Province and America in general have
long and justly remonstrated against. Nevertheless* we think
it our duty to express our sentiments in regard to the encroach-
ments made on our rights and liberties, as stated by the worthy
inhabitants of the metropolis of this Province, whose loyalty, vigi-
lance, and patroitic zeal, in this time of common danger, has
not been equalled in the present nor exceeded in former times;
of which we have the highest opinion, and shall ever acknowledge
with gratitude: the particulars of which we do not think ex-
pedient to enumerate, but refer you to a pamphlet^ (for your
careful perusal), sent from Boston to this and every other town
in the Province; which, (upon the most careful and critical ex-
amination), we humbly conceive very justly states our rights and
privileges as men, as subjects, as christians, and the unparalleled
encroachments made on them by a ministry, who, fond of arbitrary
sway, in open violation of the most sacred contract and agree-
ment, entered into with our predecessors, the patentees of this
Erovince, and solemnly ratified by king William and queen Mary,
ave hitherto with impunity profanely violated the faith and
promise of a king, on whose royal word we made the most firm
and indubitable reliance, and have involved this province and
continent in the utmost distress and calamity, and in its con-
sequences have deeply affected the parent state, whose prosperity
and happiness we have ever considered as near and dear to us as
our own. And it now is, and ever has been, our earnest desire
and prayer, that there may never be wanting one of the illustrious
House of Hanover to sway the sceptre of Great Britian and Amer-
ica, in righteousness, so long as the sun and moon shall endure.
"We, your constituents, desire and emect that you exert your-
setf to the utmost of your ability, not only to secure our remaining
privileges inviolable, but also to obtain a full redress of all those
many grievances, so justly complained of, — a full restoration and
confirmation of all the rights and privileges we are justly entitled
to by nature and the solemn compact, aforesaid; that generations
yet unborn may know, that this town have not been dormant,
while the enemies thereof have been vigilant and active, to wrest
from them every privilege and blessing, that renders life worthy
of enjoyment.
"We trust you will be vigilant even among your brethren,
lest some of them, through sinister views or ambitious designs,
be induced to barter away and betray our dear-bought privileges
and liberties, together with this our paternal inheritance, estab-
lished with so much toil, and raised to such a height of clory,
and transmitted down to us at no less price than the blood and
> This was a pamphlet published by Mr. Otis, entitled "The Rights of the
British Colonies asserted and proved."
116 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
treasure of our ancestors. Though we hope and presume, there
will not be found a man in that august assembly, so abandoned,
so profane, so enthusiastic, so mad, as to disturb the repose of
the pious dead, and bring upon himself not only the just indigna-
tion of all the virtuous, but the ire of that diead Sovereign, be>
neath whose aweful frown audacious monarchs and their minions
tremble.
'*We present these hints to vour judicious consideration, and
wish that not only you, but all the true friends to the English
constitution, may be guided in the path of wisdom and equity,
and never be diverted from the steady pursuit of the true mter-
ests of yourselves, your king, your country, and posterity.
Ephraim Starkweather,
Nathan Daggett,
Thomas Carpenter, 3d,
John Lyon,
Joseph Bridgham,
William Cole,
CommiUee
of
Correspondence.
The following are some of the most interesting votes and re-
solves passed by the town during the period of the Revolution
and havmg relation to that war:
'"July 25, 1774. Voted by a great majority, that the sum of
£5. 3«. 8d. be drawn out of the town treasury, for the use of the
committee of this province, that are to meet in the General Con-
gress; it being Rehoboth's proportionable part of the money to
be ordered out of the treasury by the selectmen.
"Voted not to purchase any goods, imported from Great Britain,
after the 31st day of August next, until the act for blocking up
the harbour of Boston be repealed, and the government be re-
stored to its former privileges.'* "Likewise voted that the town
clerk transmit a copy of the transactions of this meeting to the
clerk of the Corresponding Committee in Boston."
'•September 19, 1774. The town chose Maj. Timothy Walker
and Capt. John Wheeler delegates to attend the proposed Provin-
cial Congress, on the second Tuesday of October next, at Con-
cord, or any other time or place that the major part of the del-
egates of said province may agree upon."^
* From the records in the secretary's office we have the following account of
the different Provincial Congresses: —
Fir$t Congre$$.
Convened at Salem, Oct. 7, 1774; adjourned the same day.
Convened at Concord, Tuesd. Oct. 11; adjourned Sat. I5ln, same month.
Convened at Cambridge, Mond. Oct. 17; adjourned Sat. 29th, do.
Convened at Cambridge, Wed. Nov. 23; dissolved Sat. Dec. 10th.
THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 117
"October 3, 1774. The town chose Capt. Thomas Carpenter
a delegate for the Provincial Congress, in the room of Capt. John
Wheeler, that is dismissed."
"November 21, 1774. Voted to accept of, and abide by, the
results of the Provincial Congress." "Voted that every constable,
collector, or person, who have in their hands, or that may here-
after have, any of the province's monies, that they pay the same
to Henry Gardner, Esq., of Stow, instead of the Hon. Harrison
Gray, Esq. and that they produce his receipt, which shall be a
full and effectual discharge for the same, agreeable to a resolve of
the Provincial Congress, October 28th, 1774: to the whole of
which resolve we promise and engage faithfully to adhere in all
its parts."
"January 2, 1775. The town chose Maj. Timothy Walker and
Capt. Thomas Carpenter delegates to attend the Provincial Con-
gress to be holden at Cambridge, on the first day of February next."
The Rev. Ephraim Hyde's parish (then the first Congregational
society in Rehoboth, now in East Providence, R.I.), contributed
£6, "for the relief and support of tlie poor of Boston, sufferers
by means of the Boston Port-Bill."
The receipt of £10 is acknowledged by Henry Gardner, Esq.;
treasurer of the Provincial Congress, as a "part of the province*s
tax, set on the town of Rehoboth by the General Court."
"May 26, 1775. Voted to raise two companies in this town to
be ready on any special alarm; one company to be raised in the
westerly part, and the other in the easterly part of said town.
Likewise voted that every soldier, enlisting to be a minute man,
on alarm shall have three shillings a day, he finding himself, if
called into service, until they come to draw provisions out of the
provision stores; and then to have two shillings a day, for each
day, until they return home again except they shall be paid by
the province." "Also voted that the selectmen divide the town
stock of ammunition, the one half for the west part of the town,
the other half for the east part."
"June 12, 1775. Voted that the selectmen provide for the poor
of the town of Boston, that are, or shall be, sent to this town, upon
the town's credit." "Also voted that there be fifty men in each
special alarm company, exclusive of officers; and that the captains
Second Congresi,
Convened at Cambridge, Wed. Feb. 1775; adjourned Thursd. 16th, same
month.
Convened at Concord, Tuesd. March 22; adjourned Sat. April 15th.
Convened at Concord, Sat. April 22; adjourned the same day.
Convened at Watertown, Mond. April 24; dissolved May 20th.
Third Congress,
Convened at Watertown, May 31, 1775; dissolved July 19th.
118 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
of each company provide a man with a hone-cart and two horses*
in order to carry the baggage of the companies in case of alarm/*
November 6» 1775. The town *' voted to borrow four pieces
of cannon of Capt. John Lyon and Mr. Nathan Daggett**; and
voted "the sum of £60 to defray the charges of mounting said
cannon* and providing ammunition and other utensik that shall
be needful for the same." Also chose "a committee, to wait on
a committee of the town of Providence, to consult on fortifying
Hog-pen Point.**
"November 13, 1775. Voted it expedient to fortify Hog-pen
Point, and chose a committee to oversee the business."
This point is in Seekonk, and traces of the fortification are still
to be seen. (1836.)
"January 1, 1776. The town voted to raise the sum of £118.
lis. to procure a town stock of powder and small arms."
"February 12, 1776. Voted to encourage the manufacturing
of saltpetre in private families, by affording them the materials
they can get without doing damage.**
Considerable quantities of saltpetre, it is said, were manufac-
tured in the town during the period of the Revolution; and a
manufactory was set up near the Cove Factory, in Seekonk, for
the purpose of making it.
"April 14, 1776. Voted to raise a bounty of £20 to every
soldier that shall enlist into the continental army, for three years,
or during the war, provided they enlist into the said army within
ten days.'*
This bounty, by vote of the town. May 19, 1777, was extended
to every soldier that had enlisted for the same term since the
former vote, or who should enlist within twenty days of the last
date. And by another vote, passed June 30th, the same bounty
was farther extended to all who should enlist into the Continental
army within two months from that date.
"May 18, 1778. Voted to raise the sum of £720, for the raising
of soldiers for the continental army, for nine months.**
"September 7, 1778. Voted to grant the sum of £463. 4s. for
clothing, purchased by the selectmen, agreeable to an order of
Court, for the continental soldiers that enlisted into the service.**
"April 19, 1779. A committee was appointed by the town, to
provide for the soldiers' families.*'
THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 119
"Ma^ 5, 1779. Voted that the sum of £1200 be raised by a
tax, this spring, and paid into the town treasury, to be ordered
out of said treasury by the selectmen, to the committee that take
care of the soldiers' families, if needed."
"May 19, 1779. Voted to raise the sum of £3,000 for providing
men, when called for from the authority, to go into the service
as soldiers.**
"October 23, 1780. Voted to raise the sum of £26,400 for the
purpose of raising the town's quota of beef.'*
This quota was 42,106 pounds. These immense sums were re-
quired to be raised in consequence of the great depreciation of
the value of the paper currency issued by the Continental Con-
gress.^ The whole amount of money raised by the town, this
year, for its necessary charges, was the sum of £50,527. 4^.
"April 1, 1782. Voted that the town treasurer be instructed
to sell the new emission money, three dollars for one hard dollar.'*
This year, from the town, "The Hon. John Hancock had 23
votes for Governour," and "Doct. Joseph Bridgham had 1 1 votes
for Governour."
From the "Journals and Resolves of Massachusetts" we glean
the few following additional particulars respecting the number
of men, etc., to be furnished by Rehoboth, at several different
times, when drafts of men were called for: For the reinforcement,
voted to be raised in Massachusetts and "sent to the camp at
Cambridge or Roxbury, as his Excellency General Washington
shall direct," the proportion of Rehoboth was 74 men. The pro-
portion of Rehoboth of the men raised by Massachusetts "for
filling and completing the fifteen battalions of continental troops,"
was 24. Rehoboth *s proportion of the men to be raised "for re-
enforcing the continental army," according to a resolve passed
June 8, 1779, was 22. In 1781, Massachusetts was ordered to
raise 4,626,178 lbs. of beef, of which the proportion of Rehoboth
was 42,106 lbs. Of the 4,726 men voted to be raised by Massachu-
' Congress first issued bills of credit in June, 1775. At the end of eighteen
months they began to depreciate. Towards the close of 1777, the depreciation
was two or three dollars for one; in 1778, five or six for one; in 1779, twenty-
seven or twenty^ight for one; in 1780. fifty or sixty for one; soon to one
hundred and fifty for one; and finally several hundreds for one.
April 5, 1787, the town of Rehoboth had on hand in old Continental cur-
rency, ;(1 1,755. lU. 6d., also a writ signed by Aaron Miller for "paper money"
for 2:200.
120 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
setts, June, 1780, for three months, for reinforcing the continental
army, the proportion of Rehoboth was 60.
In concluding this sketch of the Revolutionary affairs of the
town we would like to print the names of all Rehoboth soldiers, of
whom more than fourteen hundred are recorded in the seventeen
large volumes of the "Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the
Revolutionary War," but for lack of space we give only two lists,
including, first, the minute-men who marched on the alarm of the
19th of April, 1775, and second, the Continental soldiers.
Pains have been taken to make these lists complete and accurate.
For other Rehoboth names, and for exact information concerning
these listed names, we refer the reader to the State volumes which
may be consulted in every important library of the Common-
wealth. Many of the enlistments were for short periods on alarms
from Rhode Island, and it is probable that nearly every able-
bodied man in town was called to service at some time during the
war. Under the first list we give opposite each man's name the
name of his captain. These seven captains, all residents of Re-
hoboth, were: Samuel Bliss, John Perry, Phanuel Bishop, Na-
thaniel Carpenter, Isaac Burr, John Lyon, and Jesse Perrin.
The companies of Captains Lyon and Perrin, being small,
were returned in one roll as if they together commanded a single
company. The same is true of the companies of Captains Car-
penter and Burr.
M$n. AprU 19. 1776 Caj4ain$
Abel, Preserved Perry
Abell, Robert Perry
Alger, James Bishop
Allen, John Carpenter and Burr
Allen, John, 3d Carpenter and Burr
Allen, Joseph, Ensign Bliss
Allen, Joseph Bliss
Allen, Joseph, 4th Carpenter and Burr
Allen, Josiah Bishop
Allen, Noah Bliss
Allen, Peleg Bishop
Allen, Stephen, Jr. Bishop
Allen, Samuel Bliss
Allen, Samuel, 1st Lieut. Carpenter and Burr
Allen, William Bliss
Amerson, John Lyon and Perrin
Armington, John Lyon and Perrin
THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
121
Minute Men, April 19, 1775
Armington, William
Barker, John
Barney, Jonathan
Barrows, Nehemiah, Jr.
Bicknell, Asa
Bishop, Demos
Bishop, Ebenezer
Blake, Josiah
Blanding, Christopher
Bliss, Abdul
Bliss, Amos
Bliss, Elisha
Bliss, Joshua
Bliss, Ephraim, 3d
Bliss, Noah
Bliss, Samuel, Capt.
Bordine, Levi
Bowen, Bezaleel
Bowen, Eleazer
Bowen, Ichabod
Bowen, Simeon
Bowen, Simeon
Bowers, Asa
Bowers, Lemuel
Braley, William
Bridgham, William
Brown, Caleb
Brown, Elisha
Brown, Gideon
Brown, Isaac
Brown, John
Brown, John, 2d
Brown, Samuel
Brown, Samuel
Brown, Simeon
Brown, Thomas, Serg.
Bucklin, James, Ensign
Bucklin, John
Bucklin, Joseph
Bullock, Jabez
Bullock, James
Bullock, Preserved
Campbell, James
Campbell, Thomas
Campbell, Thomas
Carpenter, Benjamin
Captain*
Bishop
Lyon and Perrin
Perry
Bishop
Bishop
Perry
Lyon and Perrin
Bishop
Bliss
Lyon and Perrin
Bliss
Lyon and Perrin
Carpenter and Burr
Bliss
Carpenter and Burr
Bliss
Carpenter and Burr
Perry
Perry
Lyon and Perrin
Lyon and Perrin
Perry
BLshop
Bishop
Lyon and Perrin
Perry
Bishop
Bishop
Bishop
Bishop
Bliss
Lyon and Perrin
Bishop
Carpenter and Burr
Bishop
Lyon and Perrin
Perry
Bishop
Bishop
Bishop
Bliss
Bliss
Perry
Lyon and Perrin
Bliss
Carpenter and Burr
122
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
Minute Men, Apnl 19, 1775
Carpenter, Caleb
Carpenter, Caleb, 2d
Carpenter, Caleb
Carpenter, Elisha, Corp.
Carpenter, Elisha
Carpenter, Ephraim, Corp.
Carpenter, Ezekiel
Carpenter, Phanuel
Carpenter, William
Chaffee, Charles
Chaffee, Nathaniel
Comer, Benjamin
Cooper, Abel
Cashing, Jacob, Corp.
Daggett, Nathan, 2d Lieut.
Daggett, William
Drowne, Jonathan
Dryer, John
Fairbrother, Richard
Faribrother, William
Fisher, Joshua, Corp.
Franklin, Abel
French, Elkanah
French, Elkanah, 2d Lieut.
French, James
French, Jonathan
French, John
Fuller, Isaiah
Fuller, Jacob
Fuller, Nathaniel
Fuller, Samuel, Jr.
Gage, Benjamin
Goff, Amos
Hill, Comfort
Hill, James
Hills, David, Serg.
Hills, James, Serg.
Hills, Josiah
Hills, Stephen
Hix, Abel
Hix, Ilezekiah
Hunt, Joseph W.
Ide, Daniel, Serg.
Ide, John, Corp.
Ide, Nathan, Serg.
Ide, Nathaniel, Serg.
Caplaine
Lyon and Perrin
Lyon and Perrin
Carpenter and Burr
Carpenter and Burr
Bishop
Carpenter and Burr
Carpenter and Burr
Carpenter and Burr
Perry
Bishop
Lyon and Perrin
Bliss
Carpenter and Burr
Carpenter and Burr
Lyon and Perrin
Bishop
Bliss
Bliss
Perry
Bliss
Lyon and Perrin
Bishop
Perry
Lyon and Perrin
Carpenter and Burr
Bishop
Carpenter and Burr
Perry
Bliss
Carpenter and Burr
Lyon and Perrin
Carpenter and Burr
Perry
Perry
Perry
Bishop
Lyon and Perrin
Carpenter and Burr
Bishop
Bliss
Bliss
Bishop
Carpenter and Burr
Carpenter and Burr
Carpenter and Burr
Bishop
THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
123
Minute Men, AprU 19, 1775
Captains
Ingals, Joseph
Bliss
Ingraham, John
Perry
Ingraham, William
Perry
Jacobs, Allen
Lyon and Perrin
Jones, Oliver
Bliss
Jones, Samuel
Perry
Joy, Joseph
Carpenter and Burr
Kenedy, Hugh
Lyon and Perrin
Kent, llemember
Carpenter and Burr
Lake, Elnathan
Bliss
Lake, Laban
Bliss
Lake, I^evi
Bliss
Lawrence, George
Bishop
Lee, James
Carpenter and Burr
Lindley, John
Bishop
Lyon, Aaron, Serg.
Perry
Lyon, Samuel
Carpenter and Burr
Macombcr, Jonathan
Bliss
Martin, Benjamin, Corp.
Lyon and Perrin
Martin, Benjamin, Jr.
Bishop
Martin, Constant
Bishop
Mason, Caleb
Bishop
Mason, James
Lyon and Perrin
Mason, Levi
Bishop
Mason, Pelatiah
Carpenter and Burr
Medbury, James
Perry
Medbury, John
Lyon and Perrin
Medbury, Nathaniel
Lyon and Perrin
Miller, Peter
Lyon and Perrin
Munro, Nathan
I-yon and Perrin
Bliss
Munro, Samuel
Nash, Jonathan
Bliss
Newman, John, Serg.
Bishop
Newman, Samuel, Serg.
Carpenter and Burr
Ormsbee, Christopher, Serg.
Bliss
Pain, Nathaniel
Bishop
Paine, John, Lieut.
Perry
Pane, Peleg
Bishop
Peck, Amaziah
Carpenter and Burr
Peck, Charles
I^yon and Perrin
Peck, Ebenezer, Corp.
Lyon and Perrin
Peck, Oliver
Bliss
Peck, Perez
Carpenter and Burr
Peck, Philip
Bliss
Peck, Solomon
Bliss
Perrin, David
Carpenter and Burr
124
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
Minut$ Men, AjrrU 19. 1775
Perrin, Lemuel
Perry, Anthony
Perry, Elijah
Perry, Jasiel
Perry, John, Capt.
Potter, Ichabod
Read, Aaron, Serg.
Read, Amos
Read, Ezra
Read, Jonathan
Read, Nathan, Jr.
Read, Perez
Read, Peter
Read, Simeon
Read, Timothy, 2d Lieut.
Redaway, Samuel
Redaway, Timothy
Robinson, Jonathan
Shorey, Jacob
Shorey, John, Serg.
Shorey, Miles, Serg.
Slade, William
Smith, Abial
Smith, Eleazer
Smith, John, Serg.
Smith, Solomon
Smith, Stukeley
Stanley, Comfort
Starkweather, Ephraim
Sutten, Robert
Thurber, James
Titus, William
Turner, Ephraim
Turner, Nathan
Turner, Nathaniel
Viall, Samuel
Wade, Ichabod
Walker, Aaron, Lieut.
Walker, Caleb
Walker, Enos
Walker, John, Serg.
Walker, Moses, 1st Lieut.
Walker, Timothy
Wheeler, Nathan
Wheeler, Valentine
Wheeton, Joseph
Cajdaim
Perry
Lyon and Perrin
Bliss
Bliss
Perry
Bishop
Bliss
Perry
Perry
Perry
Carpenter and Burr
Bishop
Bliss
Carpenter and Burr
Carpenter and Burr
Lyon and Perrin
Lyon and Perrin
Lyon and Perrin
Carpenter and Burr
Carpenter and Burr
Perry
Carpenter and Burr
Lyon and Perrin
Carpenter and Burr
Perry
Lyon and Perrin
Bishop
Bliss
Lyon and Perrin
Bishop
Lyon and Perrin
Carpenter and Burr
Carpenter and Burr
Bliss
BlUs
Lyon and Perrin
Bliss
Bliss
Perry
Perry
Lyon and Perrin
Lyon and Perrin
Bishop
Bliss
Bliss
Perry
THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 125
Minute Men, April 19, 1775 Caplaine
Whitacor, Richard, Corp. Lyon and Perrin
Whitaker, Peter Peny
Willard, Ephraim Bishop
Wihnarth, Thomas Bishop
William, John, Drummer Perry
Willson, John, Serg. Perry
Wood, Lewis Bishop
Woodard, Samuel Lyon and Perrin
The length of service on this first alarm of the war was about
eight days. Immediately after this Captains Perry and Bliss en-
listed in the 22d regiment commanded by Colonel Timothy Walker
of Rehoboth, and a majority of their men also were mustered into
the same regiment. They were designated as eight-months men,
but their actual time of service was a little over three months.
Besides Colonel Walker, three of his captains belonged to Re-
hoboth: Samuel Bliss, John Perry, and Jacob Fuller; also Lieu-
tenants John Paine and Aaron Walker, and Ensigns James Bucklin
and Joseph Allen.
In September of 1776 another regiment was raised in this town
and some of the adjoining towns and marched under the command
of Colonel Thomas Carpenter of Rehoboth to join the army of
Washington at White Plains. They are said to have arrived some-
time before the battle and were drawn up under arms a few miles
away. Bliss (p. 152) speaks of a trifling skirmish which occurred
previous to the battle of White Plains, and gives the story as told
him by his grandfather. Dr. James Bliss, who was surgeon's mate
in this regiment. Colonel Carpenter's regiment was stationed on
a slight hill to watch the movements of a detachment of the British
army which was in the vicinity.
Soon the British formed themselves into a line in front of our
regiment and commenced to fire, slightly wounding three of
Colonel Carpenter's men. After the exchange of a few shots, the
British, thinking the Americans were about to be reinforced,
made a hasty retreat and were pursued by some of the American
soldiers.
One soldier, Fuller by name, being foremost of those in pursuit,
coming upon two British soldiers who were just leaving a house
where they had stopped for refreshments, leveled his musket at
them and called out to them, "Throw down your arms or I'll
126 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
shoot you through/* They instantly obeyed and Fuller* in all
the joy and pride of triumph, led back two gigantic British prison-
ers to the Colonel. Colonel Carpenter, contrasting their siie
with the inferior stature of their captor, inquired of Fuller how he
managed to take them. "Why, Colonel,'' he answered good-
humoredly, '*! surrounded them." Colonel Carpenter's regiment
was out on service at this time only three months. One of the
companies of this regiment was raised partly in Attleborough and
partly in Norton and was under the command of Captain Elisha
May of the former town.
Alphabetigal list of Rbhoboth Men, either RESiDENra or
OB ACCREDITED TO THE ToWN, WHO ENLISTED IN THE CON-
TINENTAL Army at various periods of the War
The terms of enlistment range from three months to three years,
or "during the War." The list also includes the few who paid
money to raise Continental soldiers. The list given in Bliss's
History has been corrected and much enlarged by reference to the
State volumes. Names not found in the latter are marked with an
asterisk. They are not therefore discredited, for the state list
is admittedly imperfect, having been compiled more than a hun-
dred years after the event; and besides a name may have been
recorded under a different spelling. As a soldier often served
with different captains at different times, this list does not give
the names of these officers in connection with each man. Among
them were Captains Bullock, Carpenter, Cole, Franklin, Hill»
Hix, Hull, Martin, and Peck.
Alger, James Bicknell, Turner
Alger, NichoUs Bishop, Comfort
Allen, John Bishop, Oliver
Allen, John, Serg. Bishop, Sylvanus
Allen, Samuel, Jr. Bishop, Sylvanus, 2d
Allen, Thomas Black, David
Anderson, John Blackington, James
Baird, John Blackman, Elijah
Baker, Samuel* Bliss, Allen
Barker, Barnabas Bliss, Asa
Barker, John Bliss, David
Barker, Samuel Bliss, Elisha
Barney, Nathaniel Bliss, Joshua
Barney, Paul Bliss, Samuel '
Barrett. Michael Bliss, Samuel, Jr.
Bears, Spencer Blye, James
Beers, Peleg Boffington, Benjamin
' Samuel Bliss, who afterwards bore the title of Captain, was General
Washington's steward at Morristown in the winter of 1777.
THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
127
Bourke, John
Bourn, Moses
Bowen, Besaleel
Bowen, Ephraim*
Bowen, Isaac
Bowen, Isaiah
Bowen, John, Jr.
Bowen, Obadiah
Bowen, Stephen
Bowen, Thomas
Bowman, Charles
Brailey, William
Breton, William
Brown, Benjamin
Brown, Besaleel
Brown, Daniel
Brown, Gideon
Brown, Moses
Bucklin, Elijah
Biicklin, James
Bucklin, Jonathan
Bucklin, Oliver
Buckling, William
Bullock, Comfort*
Bullock, David*
Bullock, Jacob
Bullock, Jonathan
Bullock, William
Burr, Nathaniel
Campbell, John
Campbell, Thomas
Campbell, Thomas, 2d
Carpenter, Elisha
Carpenter, John
Carpenter, Remember
Carpenter, Thomas, 2d*
Carpenter, William
Chaffee, Comfort
Chaffee, Noah*
Chaffee, Shubael*
Chaffee, Stephen
Clear, Joseph
Cole, Allen
Cole, Isaiah (Josiah?)
Cole, Jacob
Cole, James
Cole, John
Cole, Zephaniah
Corps, John
Cranston, Samuel
Daggett, James
Daggett, Joseph
Dala, Edward
Dala, James
Davi<l, (negro)
Drown, Jonatiian
Dryer, Israel
Dryer, Jonathan
Duffey, Luke
Elword, Samuel
Emerson, Ephraim
Emmerson, John
Enos, David
Fairbrother, Richard
Fairbrother, William
Foster, Joseph
Franklin, Benjamin
Franklin, Wilson
Freeman, Job
Fuller, Amos
Garey, Seth
Gladding, Ebenezer
Gladding, James
Gladding, James, Jr.
Goff, Ezra
Goff, Israel
Greenwood, Thomas
Harding, John
Harridon, Rufus
Hathaway, Job
Healey, Job
Hicks, Chase*
Hide, Abel
Hill, John
Hill, Stephen
Hindel, John*
Hix, James
Hix (or Hicks), Nathan
Horton, William
Hoskins, William*
Hubbard, Hezekiah
Hunt, Cato (negro)
Hunt, Levi
Hunter, Alexander
Ide, Abel
Ide, John
Ide, Nathan
Ide, Feleg
Ingalls, Jacob
Ingals, Joseph
Ingals, Jonathan
Ingraham, Nathaniel
Ingraham, Obediah
Jenks, Primus
Jones, Isaiah
Jones, John
Kenedy, David
Kenedy, Hugh
Larrance, George
Lewis, Levi
Lewis, Thomas
Luther, Eber
Lyndley, John, Jr.
Lyon, Aaron
Mackintier, Samuel
Martin, Gideon
McLean, John
McMillen, John
128
HISTORY OF BEHOBOTH
McMillUn, John
Medbury, Benjamin
Medbury, John ( Ensign)
Mesusen, Francis
Millard, Peter
Millerd, Peter
Mitchell. ♦
Monroe, Nathan
Negro, Caesar*
Newton, Francb
Newton, John (Swansea?)
Nichols, Eleaaer
Nichob, Nathaniel
Ollu. Gabriel
Ormsbee, Joseph
Parry, Samuel
Peabody, Ick.
Peck, Calvin
Peck, Gains
Peck, James
Peck, Joshua
Peck, Shubael
Peck, Sylvester
Perren, Daniel
Perrey, Caesar
Perrin, Isaac
Perry, Constant
Perry, Elijah
Perry, James
Perry, Jesse
Perry, Samuel
Perry, Samuel, 2d
Pierce, Jesse
Pierce, John
Pierce, Philip
Pierce, Thomas
Prat, Simeon
Read, David
Read, Ephraim
Read, Obediah
Records, Simon
Renoph, Charles
Reves, Pompey
Reynolds, Thomas
Richards, John
Roberts, George
Robertson, Jonathan
Robinson, John
Robinson, John, 2d
Robinson, Jonathan
Robinson, Jonathan, 2d
Robinson, Obed
Rogers, James
Round, Isaac
Round, John
Round, Oin*
Round, Samuel
Round. William*
Ryle, Nicholas
Sage, James
Sanders, Jesse
Shadduck. Jeffrev
Sharman, Samuel
Shorey, Samuel
Smart, John
Smith, Amos
Smith, Daniel
Smith, Nathaniel
Smith, Sam
Smith, Samuel
Smith, Sarel
Smith, Solomon
Smith, Stukley
Smith, Thomas
Smith. William
Streeter, Eleaser
Tate (or Tait), Forbes
Thomson, Edward
Thresher. Arthur
Thresher. Charles
Thresher. Joseph*
Thresher. Noah
Titus. Timothy
Trip. Benjamin
True, Solomon
Turner, Allen
Turner, Amos
Turner, Charles
Turner, Constant
Turner, Nathan
Turner, Wheaton
Twity, Samuel
Vernason. Lisedor
Vickery. Robert
Wade. Sylvanus
Waldren, James, Jr.
Walker, Enos
Walker, Nathan
Walker, Samuel
Walker, Timothy
Walker, Timothy. Jr.
Webster. Nicholas
Weeks Moses*
Wheaton, Jesse
Wheeler, James
Wheeler, Jesse*
Wheeler, Luther*
Wheeler, Russell
Wheeler, Samuel
Wheeler, Samuel, 2d
Wheeton, Ephraim
Whitaker, Ephraim
Whitaker, Jesse
WhiUker, Jo
Whitaker, Nathaniel
Whitaker, Rufus
Whitcomb, Esra
White. Jabes
THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 129
Whitrew, Jesse Wilmarth, Benjamin, 2d
Wier. Elias Willmarth, Valentine*
Wilford. Nicholas* Wilmarth. Thomas
Williams, Rarzillai Wilmarth, Thomas, 2d
Williams, John Wilson, John
Wilkinson, Joseph Zone, Lewis
Willmarth, Benjamin
Financial Records
The treasurer's book in the period of the Revolution records
items of financial interest and at the same time throws light upon
other phases of the war.
"May 1778. Reed, of the town by money hired for them to
hire Soldiers to the Fishkills Seven Hundred & Twenty Pounds.
(£720. Os. Orf.)"
"June y* 4th A. D. 1778. Then Received of Capt. John Lindley
Committeeman Ninety pounds in full of y* Town of Rehoboth's
bounty due to three men in my Company engaged as soldiers for
nine months service to the Fishkills viz^: for John Emerson, Asa
Bliss, and John Pearce Thirty Pounds each, in all Ninety Pounds.
(£90. 0^. Od.y Silvanus Martin, Capt.**
On the same day Capt. Nathaniel Carpenter receipted for £120.
05. Od. for four soldiers for the same term of service to the Fish-
kills, viz. : John Cole, Pomp Reaves, Bezalel Brown and Levi Hunt.
Likewise on the same day, in behalf of Capt, Simeon Cole*
Ebenezer Peck, 2d, receipted for ninety pounds (£90. 0*. Od.) for
three soldiers in the same expedition, viz., Silvester Peck, Allen
Cole and Nathan Hix.
Also in behalf of Capt. Israel Hix, Ebenezer Peck, 2d, receipted
for ninety pounds (£90. Os, Od.) for three men in the same service;
viz., James Peck, Calvin Peck, and John Round.
June 5, 1778, Capt. Joseph Franklin receipted for ninety pounds
(£90. Os, Od.) bounty to three soldiers to the Fishkills; viz., Stephen
Chaffee, Elijah Perry, and James Alger.
Also June 5, 1778, Capt. James Hill receipted for ninety pounds
(£90. 0^. Od.) for three soldiers to the Fishkills; viz., Oliver Buck-
lin, Thomas Wilmarth, 2d, and Nicholas Alger. (See town book,
page 99.)
On the town book, page 105, three Revolutionary soldiers serv-
ing three years are named in an unsigned receipt of forty-five
pourds* bounty, for which sum the "subscriber" indemnifies the
town against any further demand; viz., John Lindley, 2d, Peter
9
130 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
Miller 2d, and Jesse Peny. The hand is doubtless that of Capt.
Silvanus Martin.
Thus we have the names of twenty-two Revolutionary soldiers
to whom the town paid bounties in 1778, nineteen of whom served
in the expedition to the Fishkills.
"March ye 30th, 1780. Paid 593£ Principle & £27. 9s. 8d. In-
terest in Part of an order No. 179 to Innable me to take up se-
curities given for money for the men that went to the Fishkilk,
as witness my hand. John Lindley. (£620. ds. 8d.)"
"May 26, 1780. Reed of Jesse Perrin one of the Selectmen the
Sum of one Thousand fifty-one Pounds fourteen shillings & four
Pence it being money he reed, of Col. Thomas Carpenter for
supplying the Soldiers' familys. (£1051. is. 4d.y*
Col. Carpenter probably received this money from the State.
"May y® 27, 1780. Reed, by order of the Selectmen by Elkanah
French the Sum of one Thousand four hundred & twenty-five
Pounds two Shillings & one Penny, being money that was due to
the town from the State for supplying the Soldiers' familys.
(£1425. 2s. W.)."
"June 19, 1780. Then Received of Lieut. Noah AUin forty
Pounds and ten Shillings it being money that he dru oute of
the Treasury for to hier Soljers with. (£40. 10*. Od.)."
"Nov. 2, 1780. Then we the subscril^ers received of Capt.
Lindley, Treasurer of the aforesaid Town of Rehoboth the Sum
cf two Thousand Three Hundred and Sixty Pounds and Seven-
teen Shillings for Procuring y<^ Beef for the Continental Army,
as witness our hands (£2360. 17*. Od,).
William Cole.
Jesse Perrin."
"Dec. y* 19, 1780. Paid Jesse Perrin two thousand five hundred
and thirty Continental dollars towards Purchasing the Town's
Quota of Beef as may appear by his receipt of that date.
(£759. 0*. Oi.)"
"Apr. y® 13, 1781. Reed, of Jesse Perrin Sixty pounds for
Lemuel Bowers bounty from Boston. (£60. 0^. Orf.)"
"Apr. 13, 1781. Reed, of Jesse Perrin the Sum of Seven Hun-
dred and Ninety-two Pounds, two Shillings in part of the mildage
money sent from Boston. (£792- 2s. Od.)**
'' Va^ a^c.C:yu;''/i^,h
lu
■ ",) y 'i. — ^ '-_^
' y
(^^
J
-.^^
^■
'^Sl^ "^kf
^■i^li
^
jPWfwij
^■■^1
"■»
^''tPIBS*
'2M
f|,.^v^
,;-i'1
fc^
1
I
1
!
:iH
niniiHi
y. ■.-■-.;■.'*
i
THE WILLETT MONUMENT
WaDnamouet (Old Refaoboth)
THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 131
<< «« «< <t
f« «« <c «<
cc << <c «<
Facsimile Autographs of Rehoboth Men.
The first three names in this list are autographs of signers of the
compact for the government of the town, viz., Walter Palmer,
Ralph Shepherd, and Samuel Newman. The date of each man's
signature is given with his name. We here note briefly a few of the
more prominent names.
William Blanding; respected citizen, father of William, Jr.,
grandfather of James, and great-grandfather of William W.
Phanuel Bishop; captain in Revolutionary Army.
Jesse Perin;
Silvanus Martin;
Joseph Willmarth;
Thomas Carpenter, 3d, Colonel Thomas of Revolutionary
fame.
Timothy Walker; colonel in the Revolution.
Abiah Bliss; colonel in militia.
Thomas Bowen;
Shubael Peck;
Abraham Ormsbe ;* *
Eliphalet Slack; lieut.-colonel in militia.
James Bliss; physician, surgeon in Revolutionary Army.
Ephraim Starkweather; confidential adviser of Gov. John Han-
cock during war of the Revolution.
Stephen Bullock; district judge.
Comfort Seamans; minister at Hornbine church; died in his
105th year.
Elkanah French, Jr., political partizan; presided at "fighting
town meeting" in 1811.
Abraham Bliss; land owner and miller at what is now Rehoboth
village; then "Bliss's Mills."
Danl. Carpenter; Surveyor.
Ebenezer Peck; founder of the iron forging privilege at Great
Meadow Hill.
<< << <<
cc cc «c
cc cc
_ji**
f828
oJ^.^^a^,c j^^^ 9/^^'> (b-l^f--'
/I763 ~'
/77<3
I77S
0^?^ /^a^yt^ ly^^-^
/746
/;y^7^ ^ C/ /7a7
133
134 HISTORY OP REHOBOTH
From the time that the British first took possession of Rhode
Island, in December, 1776, till they finally evacuated it, — a period
of more than two years, the militia of this town and vicinity were
subject to frequent drafts of men, and were frequently called
out on alarms. Drafts were made in January, February, March,
May, June, July and August, of the year 1777. The men were
stationed principally at Howland*s Ferry (Tiverton) and at War-
wick. One company, if not more, marched from this town to
Rhode Island in Oct., 1777, and served one month in Spencer's
"secret expedition.*'
In Sullivan's expedition on Rhode Island, in August, 1778,
Col. Carpenter, with a large detachment of his regiment, marched
to join Sullivan's army on the Island, and distinguished them-
selves for their bravery. The following is a copy of the orders
issued by the Council of Massachusetts to Cols. Ilawes, Car-
penter, Daggett, Hathaway, Sproat and Williams, at this time,
for a draft of men : —
"State of Massachusetts Bay.
"Council Chaml)er, 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
a re-inforcement: therefore
**Orderedf That the following Colonels be, and are, hereby
directed to detach from their respective regiments the several
numbers of men hereafter mentioned, and form them into com-
panies of sixty-eight men each, including one captain, two sub-
alterns, four sergeants, four corporals, one drummer and one fifer,
and see that they be equipped, armed and accoutered 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. Hawes' regiment, one hundred and fifty
men, .including officers and one major; from Col. Carpenter's
regiment, one hundred and fifty men, including officers; from
Col. Daggett's regiment, one hundred and fifty men, including
officers and one colonel; from Col. llathaway's regiment, 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's regiment, one hundred
and fifty men, including officers; and make return to the council
without loss of time.
"A true copy,
*' Attest, John Avery, D'y Sec'y."
AFFAIRS SUCCEEDING THE REVOLUTION 135
Col. Carpenter was in the action on Rhode Island, Aug. 29,
1778, and was distinguished for his activit}^ and bravery. It
is said that, when the Americans advanced to the first charge.
Col. Carpenter pushed on with so much bravery, that the enemy
opposed to him gave way, and he was drawn so far in advance
of the army that the British made an attempt, by despatching
a division around the side of a hill opposite to him, to attack
him in the rear and cut him off from the main army; but being
apprised of his danger by one of the aids of General Sullivan,
he very dexterously managed to fall back in good order, with the
line of the main army, and thus, probably, avoided falling into
the hands of the enemy. Several of the soldiers of Col. Carpen-
ter's regiment, belonging to Rehoboth, were slain in this action.
The names of three of them were Medbury, Peck, and John
Dryer. These three fell on one spot. Benjamin Smith, of Swan-
sey, was wounded by the bursting of a bomb-shell.
AFFAIRS SUCCEEDING THE REVOLUTION
In 1784, the town voted, "in addition to the money already
granted for schooling, £20 for a grammar school."
"March 21, 1785. Voted to choose a committee to regulate the
fishery in the river, called Palmer's River."
The fish caught here were shad, bass and alewives. Before the
erection of the dam across Palmer's River, at Orleans Factory,
shad and alewives used to ascend the river as far as Rehoboth
village.
Rehoboth, in common with the other towns of the colonies,
felt severely the pressure of the times which immediately succeeded
the war. The large drafts made for men and money to carry on
the war, the scarcity of money and the great depreciation in the
value of the paper currency with which the ofiicers and soldiers
had been paid for their services, the increase of public and private
debts, the decay of business and the want of confidence in the
government, overwhelmed the people with a multitude of em-
barrassments public and private, under which it seemed to them
impossible to rise. These embarrassments, which were styled
"grievances," and which were the natural results of the protracted
war through which they had just passed, were charged upon the
goveriunent; whence, too, they vainly looked for that relief which
136 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
could be found only in industry and economy. The state govern-
ments were embarrassed witli heavy debts, contracted on account
fo the war; and the general government, held together only by
the frail and feeble tenure of the confederation, was ready to fall
with the least internal commotion, and was, to all efficient pur-
poses, powerless. This state of things, so different from what
they had so long and so fondly anticipated from the return of
peace and the establishment of their independence, the people
charged upon the government, calling in question both its ad-
ministration and the principles of its constitution. The cries for
reform were loud and vehement on every side, and a large party
was formed hostile to the existing state government, which
soon pushed its claims at the point of the bayonet. This party
was headed by Daniel Shays^ from whom this opfiosition received
the name of "Shays' rebellion." A majority of the people in Re-
hoboth, as will be seen from the votes passed by the town at this
time, favored the opinions of this party.
"June 19, 1786. Voted to choose a committee to meet with
other towns' committees, in the county of Bristol, in a county
convention, to consult on the rights of the people of said common-
wealth, and to petition the General Court for redress of grievances,
or to take any other measures, that the convention, when met,
shall judge to be the right of the people of this commonwealth.'*
The town chose for this committee Capt. Phanuel Bishop, Maj.
Frederick Drown, and Mr. William Daggett."
"December 25, 1786. The town voted that they wished to
have an alteration in the present system of government in the
commonwealth of Massachusetts, by a majority of 110 of what
then voted."
"January 22, 1787. Voted that the selectmen be instructed
to remove the powder and other town stock, that is now at Col.
Thomas Carpenter's, as soon as conveniently may be."
Col. Carpenter was a staunch friend of the government.
The names of the following persons are registered in the town
records, as having taken the oath of allegiance to the Common-
wealth, and delivered up their arms, during March of 1787. These
men belonged to the party of Shays, and had probably taken
arms against the government: —
Joseph Porter, Joseph Bowen, William Fairbrother,
Simeon Round, James Cole, Laben Lake,
Nathan Hix, 2d, Timothy Fuller, Nathaniel Thurber,
AFFAIRS SUCCEEDING THE REVOLUTION 137
Cyril Smith, Jacob Bliss, jr. Daniel Short,
Hezekiah Smith, Square GofT, jr. James Bullock,
Oliver Smith, Benjamin Monroe, Nathan Newman,
Benjamin Bowen, Jabez Round, 3d, Samuel Carpenter,
Jacob Cole, Charles Round, Jarvis Peck,
Ezra Thayer, James Martin, Luke Bowen,
Jacob Bliss, Isaac Burr, Asa Bowen,
Israel Hicks, Laben Briggs, John Hopkins.
Abiel Horton, Amos Cole,
November 26, 1787. The town chose Capt. Phanuel Bishop»
Maj. Frederick Drown, and William Windsor, Esq., delegates
to the State Convention, to meet at Boston, the second Wednesday
of January, 1788, "to consult on the Federal Constitution, re-
commended by the late Federal Convention, which sat at Phila-
delphia the summer past."
This year, "Voted to raise £120 for schooling; £20 to be ap-
plied to tlie support of a grammar school."
"March 17, 1788. Voted to provide a work-house for the ac-
commodation of the poor of the town."
The votes for Governor, this year, were 102 for John Hancock,
and 263 for Elbridge Gerry.
The same sum was raised for schools for the three succeeding
years as in the preceding year, and £20 yearly, as before, de-
voted to the support of a grammar school.
April 2, 1792. The town raised for the support of schools, "in-
cluding the Latin school," £150. Also "voted that the select-
men be empowered to procure such grammar schools as shall an-
swer the law, in the different parts of the town, for learning the
Latin and Greek languages."
April 1, 1793. The town voted to raise for the support of
schools, £150.
"October 6, 1794. Voted that the treasurer of this town be
directed to pay to each non-commissioned officer and soldier,
raised for this town's quota of eighty thousand men, ordered by
Congress to be raised, forty shillings each, when they are ordered
to march out of this town on a campaign, and forty shillings
each to every man aforesaid, for every month they shall con-
tinue in the camp, after one month from the time they shall
march: the money to be paid in one month after their return
from service."
This army of "eighty thousand men" was raised to repel
138 HISTORY OP REHOBOTH
the threatened invasion of France; and Washington was placed
at its head.
"February 24, 1794. Voted to remonstrate with the Legis-
lature of Rhode Island against a bridge being built over Kelley*8
Ferry, near Warren."
May 6, 1795. A motion for petitioning the General Court
to incorporate the west precinct of Rehoboth into a separate
town, was carried by vote in the negative. Voted to raise £175
for the support of schools, of which £25 was to be appropriated
to a grammar school.
In 1796, the town voted for the support of grammar and
common schools, $666.66. The sum of $666 was thereafter raised
yearly for the support of schools till 1804. In 1804, 1805, and
1806, $666.77 was raised for the same purpose; and in 1807,
1808, 1809, 1810, $700 was raised, and in 1811, $800.
The Fighting Town Meeting.
A town meeting was held in May, 1811, which from its noise
and violence has since l)een known as "The Fighting Town Meet-
ing." The following is a summary of the report of the committee
on contested elections appointed by the General Court "in the case
of the remonstrance of Stephen Bullock and four hundred and three
others, inhabitants of the town of Rehoboth, in the County of
Bristol, against the election of Elkanah French, Caleb Abell,
John Medbury, Sebra I^wton, and Timotliy Walker, returned as
members of this house from said town**: —
At a town meeting legally called on the 13tli of May, the first
point to be decided was whether tlie town would send one represen-
tative or five. At first the votes were so equally divided that the
selectmen declared they could not determine on which side was
the majority. It was then agreed that each voter in favor of send-
ing five should take by the hand a voter in favor of sending one
and march out of the house; and Captain Cushing and Mr.
Kennicut were appointed to count tlie files. After they had
counted oflf two hundred and ninety-eiglit files, tlicy were inter-
rupted by Elkanah French, Esq., chairman of the selectmen, who
told them it was impossible to decide the question in this way,
that there was a mtstake, that the question was not understood,
etc. Captain Cushing replied that there could be no mistake, that
AFFAIRS SUCCEEDING THE REVOLUTION 139
they had already counted off five hundred and ninety-six correctly,
and that in a few minutes the counting would be finished and a
decision made; but Mr. French persisted in his interference until
confusion arose and those who had gone out began to come back,
and soon all were back expecting to hear the result declared.
This the selectmen could not do as the counting was not com-
pleted. "It appears there were from fifteen to twenty-five persons
without partners and that these fifteen to twenty-five constituted
the majority for sending one representative; but whether this
fact was known by the selectmen, the committee cannot deter-
• »»
mme.
By a vote of the majority the meeting was then dissolved. The
next day warrants were issued for a town meeting to be held on
Saturday of the same week (May IStli) at 12 o*clock noon at the
East Meeting-house (near Rehoboth Village), for the purpose of
sending one or more representatives to the General Court. Notice
of this meeting was given verbally by the constables. On coming
together a motion was made and seconded that the town should
send one representative and no more; and at once another motion
was made and seconded to send five. Then Elkanah French, the
presiding selectman, declared in a loud voice, **I will hear none of
your motions and I will put none of your motions. I will manage
this meeting according to my own mind. If you do not like my
proceedings, or if I do wrong, prosecute me; bring in your votes
for from one to five representatives." Upon this refusal of the
chairman to put motions, great confusion arose, especially in
front of the selectmen's seat; some demanded one thing and some
another, and the tumult became so great that for a time neither
the chairman nor any one else could be heard. In some instances
personal contest arose between the voters, and blows were given.
The table-leaf at the deacon's seat was violently broken down and
the breastwork of the pew pressed in. Blows were aimed at the
head of the presiding selectman which he avoided "by reclining
towards the pulpit."
A motion was made to adjourn for half an hour until order could
be restored and the voting proceed with regularity. This motion
also, Elkanah French utterly refused to put. To further com-
plicate matters he ordered the voters to come up the western
aisle and to go down the eastern aisle, which was contrary to all
custom, and the aisles became blocked and there was much crowd-
140 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
ing. Besides the ballot-box was turned, and then the ballots
were replaced and other ballots were received without order.
Finally, when about twenty-five votes were in the box Mr. Ft«ncfa
turned it, while some were shouting that their votes were not in.
It was then declared that Caleb Abell, John Medbury» Sebra
Lawton, Elkanah French and Timothy Walker had twenty-three
votes and were chosen, and the meeting dissolved. When some
one expostulated with Elkanah French on his conduct, he openly
declared that he intended to manage the meeting according to
his own mind, and that he had done it. The committee concluded
their report in part as follows: that "upon mature consideration
of the foregoing facts, the supposed election of representatives to
this house from the said town of Rehoboth in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and eleven is altogether void
and of no eifect.*' ''On the question being put to the Legislature,
shall this report be accepted^ the yeas were 208, nays 181."
It is plain that the prime mover of the disturbance was Elkanah
French, Esq., backed by a few political followers. By his ar-
bitrary interference he nullified the proceedings of two town-
meetings at which more than six hundred voters were present,
prevented Rehoboth from being represented in the Legislature,
brought a stigma upon its fair name, and hastened the division
of the town which occurred the following year.
In 1812 the west part of the town was incorporated into a sep-
arate township with the name of Seekonk.
The majority of the town, as appears from a vote passed
February 3, 1812, opposed the division. The votes were 18 for,
and 328 against the measure. At the same meeting also, James
Ellis, Esq., and Mr. Thomas Kennicut, were chosen agents by
the town to oppose, at the General Court, the dividing of the town.
March 16, 1812. The town voted to raise $400 for schooling,
and $200 for military stores; and also voted *'that the school
money be divided according to the nunit)cr of children (or in-
habitants) under twenty-one years of age."
In 1813, (400 were raised for schools, $100 for military stores,
and $1,200 for the support of the poor. In 1814 the same sums
were raised for schools and for military stores.
In 1815, $450 were raised for schools; and in 1816, 1817, and
1818, $600 were raised yearly for the same purpose.
AFFAIRS SUCCEEDING THE REVOLUTION 141
In 1819, the town "voted to raise $600 for grammar and
common schools, including money received for school land and
the interest on school notes."
The same sum was raised from the years 1820 to 1824 inclusive,
and was about the yearly average until 1850, since which time
the amount has been much increased. (See chapter on Education.)
A list of the Deputies to the Court of Plymouth, and of the
Representatives to the Genreal Court of Massachusetts, with
the names of the Town Clerks and Treasurers who have served
the town at different periods, so far as they can be obtained,
will close this chapter.
List of the Deputies to Plymouth Coukt
FROM ReHOBOTH
1646,
1647,
1648,
1649,
1650,
1651,
1652,
1653,
1654,
1655,
1656,
1657,
1658,
1659,
1660,
1661,
Walter Palmer.
Walter Palmer,
Stephen Paine.
Robert Titus,
John Doggctt.
Robert Titus,
Stephen Paine.
Robert Titus,
Stephen Paine.
Stephen Paine,
Richard Bowen.
Stephen Paine,
Thomas Cooper.
Stephen Paine,
Thomas Cooper.
Stephen Paine,
Peter Hunt.
Stephen Paine,
Peter Hunt.
Stephen Paine,
William Carpenter.
Stephen Paine,
William Sabin.
Stephen Paine,
Thomas Cooper.
Stephen Paine,
William Sabin.
William Sabin,
Peter Hunt.
William Sabin,
Peter Hunt.
1662,
1663,
1664,
1665,
1666,
1667,
1668,
1669,
1670,
1671,
1672,
1673,
1674,
1675,
1676.
Peter Hunt,
Henry Smith.
Peter Hunt,
Stephen Paine.
Peter Hunt,
Stephen Paine.
Peter Hunt,
Stephen Paine.
Stephen Paine,
James Brown.
Peter Hunt,
Henry Smith.
Peter Hunt,
Henry Smith.
Philip Walker,
Nicholas Peck.
Stephen Paine,
William Sabin.
Stephen Paine,
William Sabin.
Peter Hunt,
Daniel Smith.
Peter Hunt,
Anthony Perry.
Ensign Henry Smith,
Daniel Smith.
Ensign Henry Smith.
Daniel Smith.
Daniel Smith,
\ Nathaniel Paine.
142
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
1677.
1678,
1679,
1680,
1681,
1682,
1683,
1684,
Nathaniel Paine,
Daniel Smith.
Daniel Smith,
Nicholas Peck.
Nicholas Peck,
Gilbert Brooks.
Nicholas Peck,
Peter Hunt.
Ensign Nicholas Peck,
Gilbert Brooks.
Ensign Nicholas Peck,
Capt. Peter Hunt.
Ensign Nicholas Peck,
Capt. Peter Hunt.
Lieut. Nicholas Peck,
Gilbert Brooks.
1685,
1686,
1687,
1688,
1689,
1690,
1691,
1692,
Lieut. Nicholas Peck»
Gilbert Brooks.
Lieut. Peck,
Gilbert Brooks.
Lieut. Nicholas Peck,
Samuel Peck.
Gilbert Brooks,
Christopher Saunders.
Christopher Saunders,
John Woodcock.
Christopher Saunders,
Mr. Samuel Peck.
List of the Representatives to the General Court
OF Massachusetts
1693
1694
1695
1696
1697
1698
1699
1700
1701
1702
1703
1704
1705
1706
1707
1708
1709
1710
1711
1712
1713
1714
1715
1716
Samuel Peck,
Joseph Browne,
itephen Paine.
Dea. Samuel Peck.
Dea. Samuel Newman.
Dea. Samuel Newman.
Dea. Samuel Newman.
John Hunt.
John Peck.
Sergt. Moses Reade.
Stephen Paine.
Benjamin Allen.
Col. Samuel Walker.
John Brooks.
Ensign Moses Reade.
Daniel Smith.
Ensign Timothy Ide.
Daniel Smith.
Lieut. Noah Peck.
Lieut. Moses Reade.
Lieut. Moses Reade.
Lieut. Moses Reade.
Capt. Moses Reade.
1717
1718
1719
1720
1721
1722
1723
1724
1725
1726
1727
1728
1729
1730
1731
1732
1733
1734
1735
1736
1737
1738
1739
1740
1741
Nathan Browne.
Daniel Smith, Esq.
Daniel Carpenter.
Daniel Carpenter.
Jethnial Peck.
Jethnial Peck.
Jethnial Peck.
Francis Willson.
Joseph Peck.
Jethnial Peck.
Jethnial Peck.
Jethnial Peck.
Jethnial Peck.
Jethnial Peck.
Jethnial Peck.
Samuel Browne, Esq.
James Bo wen.
James Bo wen.
John Hunt.
Joseph Peck.
James Bo wen.
Joseph Bos worth.
Jonathan Kingsley.
Joseph Peck.
Daniel Barney.
^Plymouth Colony was annexed to Massachusells by the charter of William
and Mary, in 1692.
AFFAIRS SUCCEEDING THE REVOLUTION 143
1742,
1743,
1744,
1745,
1746,
1747,
1748,
1749,
1750,
1751
1752,
1753,
1754,
1755,
1756,
1757,
1758,
1759,
1760,
1761
1762,
1763,
1764,
1765,
1766,
1767,
1768,
1769,
1770,
1771
1772,
1773,
1774,
1775,
1776,
1777,
1778,
1779,
1780,
1781
1782,
1783,
1784,
1785,
Capt. Joseph Wheaton.
Daniel Barney.
Capt. Dan. Carpenter.
Daniel Barney.
Daniel Barney.
Daniel Barney.
Dan. Carpenter, Esq.
Daniel Barney.
Nathaniel Smith.
Nathaniel Smith.
Israel Nichols.
Israel Nichols.
Aaron Kingsley.
Capt. Aaron Kingsley.
Capt. Aaron Kingsley.
Capt. Timothy Walker.
Capt. Timothy Walker.
Capt. Timothy Walker.
Noah Sabin, jun.
Noah Sabin, jun.
Aaron Kingsley, Esq.
Capt. James Clay.
Capt. James Clay.
Capt. James Clay.
Capt. James Clay.
Capt. James Clay.
Capt. James Clay.
Capt. James Clay.
Capt. Joseph Barney.
Capt. Joseph Barney.
Capt. Joseph Barney.
Capt. Joseph Barney.
f Eph. Starkweather,
\ Capt. Thomas Carpenter
f Eph. Starkweather,
\ Col. Shubael Peck.
Shubael Peck, Esq.
f Sluil)ael Peck, Esq.
\ Daniel Carpenter.
Capt. Stephen Bullock.
f Stephen Bullock, Esq.
\ Daniel Carpenter, Esq.
Stephen Bullock, Esq.
Stephen Bullock, Esq.
1786,
1787,
1788,
1789.
1790,
1791,
1792,
1793,
1794,
1795,
1796,
1797,
1798,
1799,
1800,
1801,
1802,
1803,
1804,
1805,
1806,
1807,
1808.
1809,
1810,
1811,
1812,
1813,
1814,
1815,
1816,
1817,
1818,
1819,
1820,
1821,
Stephen Bullock, Esq.
' Phanuel Bishop,
Frederick Drown,
William Winsor.
Capt. Phanuel Bishop,
Major Frederick Drown,
Capt. John Bishop.
Major Frederick Drown.
Major Frederick Drown.
Major Frederick Drown.
Hon. Phanuel Bishop.
Hon. Phanuel Bishop.
Hon. Phanuel Bishop.
Stephen Bullock, Esq.
Stephen Bullock, Esq.
Hon. Phanuel Bishop.
Hon. Phanuel Bishop.
Frederick Drowne.
Frederick Drowne.
Frederick Drowne.
Frederick Drowne.
Frederick Drowne.
Frederick Drowne.
David Perry.
David Perry, jun.
Elkanah French, jun.
Elkanah French, jun.
Peter Hunt.
' David Perry,
Elkanah French,
Timothy Walker,
John Medbury,
Sebray Law ton.
none.
Samuel Bliss,
Hezekiah Martin,
Joseph W^heaton.
(Hezekiah Martin,
Joseph Wheaton,
Samuel Bliss, 2d.
Peter Carpenter.
Dr. James Bliss.
Dr. James Bliss.
Jeremiah Wheeler.
Thomas Carpenter, 2d.
David Perry.
Dr. James Bliss.
David Perry.
HISTORY OF REHO
1823.
none.
1844.
1823,
none.
1845.
1824.
Lemuel Morae.
1846.
1826.
Lemuel Morae.
1847,
1826,
none.
1848.
1827.
loaeph Niehola.
1849.
1828,
loaeph Niehola.
1850,
Samuel Bullock,
1861.
1829,
Caleb Cuahing.
1862.
Joseph Nichols.
1853.
Samuel Bullock.
1864.
1830,
Caleb Cushing.
1865.
Joaeph Nichols.
1866,
1831,
1867,
1832,
Lloyd Bosworth.
1869,
1833,
Lloyd Bosworth.
1860,
1834,
Lloyd Bosworth.
1861.
Samuel Bullock.
1863,
1835,
none.
1865,
1836,
Capt. Richani Goll. Jr.
1868,
Abel Hoar.
1870,
1837,
Abel Hoar.
1874,
Richard Golf.
1877,
1838.
Richard GofF.
1881,
'839.{srif,'u:^tSS''Jd"'"
1886,
1889,
1840.
William Marvel. 2d.
1893
1841.
Childa Luther.
1899
1842,
Childa Luther.
1903
1843,
Childa Luther.
1910
List op Sbnatobb frou 3
1781, Hon. Eph. Starkweather 1790, E
1782, Hon. Eph. Starkweather 1807. I.
1783, Hon. Eph. Starkweather. 1808, E
1788. Hon. Phanuel Bishop. 1859, A
1780, Hon. Phanuel Bishop. 1903, C
Town Clerks
No town clerk is mentioned by name
the year 1651, when Peter Hunt was ct
previous to this date the records appei
by the same hand; and it appears from
the town clerk and on record at Plymc
FRANK HATHAWAY IIORTON .
AFFAIRS SUCCEEDING THE REVOLUTION 145
filled that office in Rehoboth was William Carpenter, and that
he retained it from the date of the commencement of the town
records in October, 1643, till 1649, when Mr. Hunt was probably
chosen.^
Richard Bowen was chosen town clerk in September, 1654;
Richard Bullock, in January, 1659, and agreed to perform the
office "for 16^. a year, and to be paid for births, burials, and
marriages besides." William Carpenter (probably son of William
Carpenter who served at first), was chosen town clerk in May,
1668, and served, with the exception of 1693, when Stephen
Paine supplied his place, till March, 1703. Daniel Carpenter
was chosen in 1703, and held the office 3 years. In March 1706
Daniel Smith was chosen, and in March 1708 Daniel Carpenter
was again chosen, and continued to fill the office till 1730. In
1730 Ezekiel Read was chosen, and continued in the office, with the
exception of 1751, 1752 and 1753, till 1762. In March 1762
Jesse Perrin was chosen, and continued till 1787. In March
1787 Lieut, (afterwards Capt.) Philip Walker was chosen town
clerk, and filled the office till 1801, when Capt. Caleb Abell was
chosen, and continued till the division of the town in 1812, when
he fell within the limits of Seekonk, where he continued in the
same office. In 1812 James Blanding, Esq., was chosen town
clerk, and filled the office up to 1836.
Then followed: —
Cyrus M. Wheaton, chosen April 4, 1836.
Asaph L. Bliss, ** March 2, 1840.
Noah Holt. " March 3, 1845.
George W. Bliss, " March 1, 1847.
Cyrus M. Wheaton,* " March 1, 1848.
William H. Luther, " March 1, 1875.
EUery L. GoflF, appointed April 22, 1893.
Town Treasurers
Eleclcd Elected
1745, John Hunt. 1782, Elkanah French.
1752, Thomas Carpenter. 1786, Peter Hunt.
1755, John Hunt. 1787, Joseph Wilmarth.
1762, James Daggett. 1798, Peter Hunt.
1764, John Lindley. 1809, Capt. Abel Cole.
* See note, page 36.
'In view of Col. Cyrus M. Wheaton's lliirty-one years of service, the town
honored him by a vote of thanks.
10
146 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
£leeied KUct«d
1811, Noah Bowen. 1868, John C. Marvel.
1812, Capt. Abel Bliss. 1869, Ira S. Baker.
1827, Edward Mason. 1870, James H. Perry.
1828, Christopher Carpenter,Jr. 1871, Ira S. Baker.
1831, WUliam Marvel. 1872, William W. Blanding.
1841, Joseph Lake. 1875, DeWitt C. Carpenter.
1844, William Marvel, 2d. 1884, John C. Marvel.
1849, John C. Marvel. 1890, William W. Blanding.
1853, Samuel H. VUU. 1894, Adin B. Horton.
1856, George H. Carpenter. 1909, Albert C. Goff.
Colonel LVNItAI, HOWKN
MAjitn GKOKC.E \V. ttl.lSt
CHAPTER IV
MILITIA OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASS.
First Regiment, Second Brigade, Fifth Division.
The history of the old First Regiment (1685-1840) was closely
identified with Rehoboth, particularly in its last seventy-five
years. At first it embraced the entire militia of Bristol County.
Until 1702 its highest officer was a Major Commandant, and for
much of the time after that, when the regiment fell short of its
peace footing of 815 men, its chief officer was a Lieutenant-Colonel
Commandant, who was, however, designated as "Colonel." In
1733 it was divided into three regiments, of which the first em-
braced, after 1818, only the Militia of Rehoboth, Swansea, See-
konk and Pawtucket. The military archives of Massachusetts
contain its roster only after 1780, the close of the Revolutionary
War. Previous to that time only fragments of the history can
be found. It seems that in 1702 the field officers of the regiment
were Nathaniel Byfield of Bristol, Colonel, Benjamin Church of
Indian fame, Lieutenant-Colonel, and Ebenezer Benton of Swan-
sea, Major.
Other "Colonels" following these were Henry Mcintosh of
Bristol, Thomas Church of Little Compton (son of Benjamin),
and liis brother Charles Church of Bristol. Then followed Dr.
Thomas Bowen of Rehoboth, Andrew Cole of Swansea, Jerahmeel
Bowers of Swansea, who was commissioned in February, 1762;
William Bullock of Rehoboth, commissioned July 1, 1767; Peleg
Slade of Swansea (date of commission unknown) ; Timothy Walker
of Rehoboth, Colonel, 1775; Thomas Carpenter of Rehoboth,
Colonel, February, 1776; Shubael Peck of Rehoboth, Colonel,
July 1, 1781 (name not in Massachusetts roster); Peleg Sherman
of Swansea, Colonel, April 20, 1785; Frederick Drown, Rehoboth,
Lieutenant-Colonel, July 19, 1791; Eliphalet Slack, Rehoboth,
Colonel, July 19, 1791; Samuel Carpenter, Rehoboth, Lieutenant-
Colonel, March 14, 1796; Joseph Wheaton, Jr., Rehoboth, Colonel,
May 22, 1799; Philip Bowers, Somerset, Colonel, Aug. 24, 1801;
Christopher Blanding, Rehoboth, Lieutenant-Colonel Comman-
dant, Sept. 7, 1802; Abiah Bliss, Rehoboth, Lieutenant-Colonel
Com., April 11, 1805; Joseph Kellog, Somerset, Lieutenant-Colonel
1147]
148 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
Com., May 21, 1807; Abel Shorey, Rehoboth, Lieutenant-Colonel
Com., April 23, 1808; Samuel Bourn, Somerset, Lieutenant-Col-
onel Com., March 29, 1810; Abraham Ormsbee, Rehoboth, Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Com., May 27, 1811; Ebenezer Hunt, Rehoboth,
Lieutenant-Colonel Com., July 4, 1815, breveted Colonel June 20,
1816; John Mason, Swansea, Lieutenant-Colonel Com., July 1,
1816; Robert Peck, Rehoboth, Colonel, Aug. 24, 1818; Simeon
Wheeler, Rehoboth, Lieutenant-Colonel, Jan. 14, 1819; Hail
Wood, Swansea, Lieutenant-Colonel, July 28, 1821; Rufus P. Bar-
rows, Rehoboth, Colonel, July 28, 1821; Cyrus M. Wheaton, Re-
hoboth, Colonel, Aug. 28, 1826; William Peck, Dighton, Colonel,
Aug. 27, 1828, promoted to Brigadier-General; Lyndal Bowen,
Rehoboth, Colonel, Oct. 23, 1830; John B. Read, Pawtucket, Col-
onel, April 5, 1834; Ephraim Moulton, Rehoboth, Lieutenant-Col-
onel, Sept. 15, 1837; Seth Wood, Seekonk, Colonel, Sept. 28, 1837.
These lists record only the last and highest office held by each
man named, with date of his commission: —
Abiel Trafton, Swansea, Major, July 19, 1791; Valentine Mar-
tin, Rehoboth, Adjutant, Oct. 1, 1791; Isaac Fowler, Rehoboth,
Surgeon, April 11, 1794; Samuel Bliss 2d, Rehoboth, Adjutant,
April 11, 1796; George W. Peck, Rehoboth, Quartermaster,
April 11, 1805; Allen Munro, Rehoboth, Major, April 11, 1805;
Otis Thompson, Rehoboth, Chaplain, May 6, 1806; John Winslow,
Rehoboth, Surgeon, Aug. 27, 1807; John Starkweather, Rehoboth,
Surgeon's Mate, April 27, 1807; James Thayer, Rehoboth,
Surgeon's Mate, Jan. 14, 1809; James Bliss 3d, Rehoboth, Quarter-
master, Jan. 14, 1809; Theophilus Hutchins, Seekonk, Surgeon's
Mate, Aug. 25, 1812; Jonathan Wheaton, Rehoboth, Adjutant,
March 22, 1822; Otis Goff, Rehoboth, Major, Aug. 28, 1826;
George Bliss, Rehoboth, Surgeon's Mate, Dec. 28, 1828; Ira Bar-
rows, Pawtucket, Surgeon's Mate, May 16, 1829; Benoni Car-
penter, Pawtucket, Surgeon, Jan. 1, 1838; Artemas L. Brown,
Swansea, Surgeon's Mate, Dec. 29, 1838.
Men named in the following list holding a captain's commission
were Rehoboth men unless otherwise specified. If promoted, their
names are given under the higher rank. The figures after each
officer's name represent the date of his commission.
For a considerable period there were four companies in town,
known as the "Oak Swamp Company," the "Palmer's River
Company," the "North Rehoboth Company," and an independent
MILITIA OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASS. 149
company of light infantry including some men outside Behoboth,
of which Daniel L. Wilmarth was captain.
Israel Nichols, commissioned July 1, 1781; Daniel Carpenter,
July 1, 1781; Noah Allen, July 1, 1781; Barzilla Bowen, Aug. 2,
1788; James Bullock, Aug. 2, 1788; Comfort Hill, July 20, 1790;
Daniel Carpenter, July 1, 1791; Job Pierce, Sept. 29, 1791; John
Vial, June 23, 1792; Richard Walker, Sept. 2, 1793; Aaron
Wheeler, Jr., July 11, 1793; Joseph Wheaton, Dec. 23, 1793;
Daniel Cole, May 27, 1795; Joel Bowen, March 30, 1796; Stephen
Burr, March 10, 1796; James GoflF, June 13, 1799; Israel Nichols,
Jr., Sept. 14, 1801; James Bliss, March 30, 1801; James French,
Sept. 20, 1801; John Rogerson, May 4, 1802; Ezra Perry, Jr.,
Sept. 7, 1802; Elkanah French, Jr., May 14, 1803; Abel Bliss,
March 4, 1803; Pardon Allen, April 23, 1805; Allen Cole, April
24, 1805; Hazard Burr, May 18, 1805; Stephen Carpenter, April
23, 1805; Abel Shorey, April 25, 1805; Constant Cole, April 5,
1806; Lewis Wade, March 31, 1806; Jonathan Peck, Jr., May 26,
1806; Sylvanus P. Martin, Aug. 26, 1807; Loring Cushing, Sept.
13, 1808; Thomas Munro, June 23, 1809; Joseph Nichols, June
22, 1809 (Oak Swamp Company); Jotham Bullock, March 23,
1809; Joseph Watson, April 9, 1810; Jesse Drown, April 10, 1810;
Lemuel Carpenter, April 13, 1810; Joseph Cushing, June 18,
1811; Benjamin Round, June 3, 1811; Simon Kinnicutt, June
5, 1811; Jacob Bolkom, Feb. 21, 1814 (North Rehoboth Company);
Simeon Wheeler, June 15, 1816 (promoted); Wooster Carpenter,
Aug. 22, 1816 (Independent Company); Asaph Bliss, Feb. 22,
1817; Joshua Miller, March 1, 1817; Nathan Hicks 2d, May 8,
1819; Lemuel Morse, April 24, 1819 (North Rehoboth Company):
Christopher Carpenter, Jr., April 21, 1819; Richard GoflF, Jr.,
March 31, 1821; Jeremiah Wheeler, June 29, 1822 (Palmer's
River Company) ; Isaac Pierce, Jr., April 26, 1823 (Oak Swamp
Company); William Cole, May 21, 1823; Benjamin Horton,
April 20, 1825; Ezra Miller, April 22, 1825; Nathan B. GoflF,
Nov. 4, 1826; Noah Peck, Sept. 11, 1826; Jarvis B. Smith, Sept.
13, 1826; Daniel L. Wilmarth, April 27, 1826 (Independent Com-
pany); Hezekiah Hicks, Jr., Sept. 9, 1826; William B. Bowen,
June 20, 1829; Philip Nichols, March 28, 1829; Horace Bullock,
June 17, 1829; George W. Bliss, June 23, 1832 (promoted to
Major); Nelson Peck, Sept. 13, 1837; Benjamin Horton, Jr.,
May 22, 1839.
150 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
Rehoboth Men bearing a Lieutenant's Commission*
WITH THE DATE OF EACH Man's COMMISSION
Second Lieutenants are Specified.
Jeremiah Wheeler, commissioned Sept. 3, 1767; Otis Peck*
July 1, 1781; Nathan Hix, July 1» 1781; Stephen Bourne, July 1,
1781; Miles Shorey, 2d Lieutenant, July 1, 1781; Benjamin Bos-
worth, 2d Lieutenant, July 1, 1781; John Macomber, 2d Lieu-
tenant, July 1, 1781; Nathan Hix, July 1, 1781; Caleb Mason,
April 20, 1785; Joshua Fisher, April 20, 1785; Peter Read, April
20, 1785; Jabez Pierce, 2d Lieutenant, April 20, 1785; Philip
Peck, Aug. 2, 1788; Jonathan Ide, 2d Lieutenant, Aug. 2, 1788;
Joel Bowen, June 23, 1792; Sylvester Bowers, Sept. 2, 1793;
Lewis Ormsbee, Aug. 20, 1793; John Smith 3d, July 11, 1793;
Asa Bullock, Jan. 16, 1794; John Pierce, Sept. 28, 1795; James
Goff, March 8, 1796; David Cooper, March 10, 1796; George W.
Walker, March 10, 1796; Joshua Smith, 2d Lieutenant, March
30, 1796; Daniel Perrin, May 17, 1799; Ephraim Martin, Sept.
14, 1801; Joseph Baker, June 5, 1802; Washington Martin*
May 4, 1802; Jotham Bullock, March 31, 1806; Shubael Horton»
April 20, 1807; William Simmons, Sept. 27, 1810; Elijah A.
Reed, April 9, 1810; Eliphalet Ide, April 13, 1810; George W.
Peck, April 9, 1810; John Medbury, Jr., June 5, 1811; Peter
Carpenter, Sept. 21, 1812; Jeremiah Bosworth, June 6, 1814;
Samuel Carpenter, May 23, 1814; Benjamin Corbin, March 23,
1816; Isaac Pierce, Jr., May 8, 1819; Paul Nye, April 23, 1825;
Chauncy B. Pierce, April 22, 1825; Otis Nichols, April 27, 1826;
Otis Pierce, April 22, 1826; James B. Rounds, April 18, 1827;
Cyrenus B. Rounds, April 18, 1827; Caleb C. Carpenter, June 20,
1829; Raymond H. Burr, June 17, 1829; Ira W. Carpenter,
May 25, 1833; George T. Wheeler, Jan. 19, 1833; Joseph W.
Miller, Dec. 9, 1837.
'Rehoboth Men with Commission op Ensign
«
Richard Go£F, Aug. 2, 1788; Jonathan Barney, Dec, 1790;
Israel Pierce, May 6, 1791; Samuel French, Jr., June 23, 1792;
Caleb Lawton, Sept. 2, 1793; Nathan Smith, Aug. 28, 1793;
James Bliss 2d, March 8, 1796; Samuel Blackington, March 2,
1798; Abner Darby, May 17, 1799; Abel Wilmarth, May 18,
1799; Charles Gushing, May 17, 1799; Ichabod Richmond, March
MILITIA OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASS. 151
29, 1800; Esquire Goff, March 30, 1801; Constant Goff, March
22, 1803; Timothy Perry, March 22, 1803; Benjamin Armington.
April 23, 1805; Joseph Gushing, Nov. 28, 1806; Benjamin
Round, May 6, 1806; William Woodard, May 26, 1806; Amos
Reed, May 18, 1807; Lewis Carpenter, Aug. 26, 1807; Israel
Pierce, Jr., June 22, 1809; Steven Bourn, April 9, 1810; Ephraim
W. Walker, April 26, 1810; Peter Carpenter, April 10, 1810 (had
been Drum-Major, promoted to Lieutenant) ; Nathan Kent, June
5, 1811; Elijah I. Sanford, April 24, 1819; Wheaton Bowen,
May 8, 1819 (left the service); Jonathan Wheaton, Jr., March
31, 1821 (promoted to Adjutant); Leonard Burt, Dec. 1, 1821;
Timothy Fuller, April 23, 1825; Joseph Martin, April 27, 1826;
Albert G. Peck, Sept. 11, 1826; Darius Cole, Sept. 13, 1826;
Leonard Bigelow, June 27, 1827; Gardner R. Goff, June 20,
1829; Charles T. Wheeler, March 28, 1829; Shubael Goff, Sr.,
May 22. 1830; Laben Barney, May 25, 1833; Lyman Pierce,
Jan. 19, 1833.
First Regiment Cavalry, or **Corps of Horse"
(Rehoboth men unless otherwise designated. There were two
squadrons in the second Brigade,)
Uriah Bowen, 1st Lieutenant, commissioned June 28, 1789;
Timothy Walker, Captain, Aug. 4, 1794; Moses Walker, Jr.,
Cornet, Aug. 4, 1794 (declined); James Trott, 2d Lieutenant*
April 3, 1795; Philip Walker, Jr., Adjutant, March 1, 1797; Lewis
Wheaton, Captain, May 1, 1798; Cyrenus Barney, Lieutenant,
Nov. 11, 1799; Jonathan Chaffee, Adjutant, April 22, 1801;
Asa Bliss, Captain, Oct. 27, 1804; Benjamin Peck, Cornet, April
20, 1807; Seabury Lawton, Captain, April 20, 1807; Azariah
Hix, Lieutenant, May 2, 1809; Russell Smith, Cornet, Sept. 1,
1810; Samuel Walker, Lieutenant, Sept. 1, 1810; Allen Hunt,
Major, Sept. 7, 1822; Samuel Wheaton, Lieutenant, March 3,
1823; Daniel H. Abell (Seekonk), CapUin, March 3, 1823; John
Bucklin (Seekonk), Lieutenant, May 18, 1824; Davis Carpenter
(Seekonk), Captain, June 1, 1824; Benajah Allen, Captain, April
25, 1825.
The few names of Rehoboth oflScers which follow were in the
Colonial Militia, but the date of their commission is unknown to
152 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
the writer. The title of most of them b recorded on their tomb-
stones:—
Captain Samuel Peck, died June 9, 1736; Captain Abiah Car-
penter» died July» 1743; Captain Silvanus Martin of the third
Company, Colonel Thomas Carpenter's regiment, died Aug. 13»
1782; Captain Ebenezer Peck, died Sept. 18, 1760; Captain
Thomas Peck, died April 5, 1763; Lieutenant Ephraim Bliss,
bom Aug. 15, 1699; Captain Philip Wheeler, died 1765; Ensign
Ebenezer Fuller, died Oct. 2, 1773; Lieutenant Ephraim Hunt,
died Feb. 17, 1776; Captain Stephen Moulton, died Sept. 12,
1786; Captain Mial Pierce, died March 15, 1792; Captain Na-
thaniel Bliss, born Aug. 28, 1702; Captain Jonathan Bliss, died
Jan. 24, 1800; Captain Joseph Barney, representative to General
Court, 1770-1773.
In October of each year regimental musters were held at dif-
ferent places in town. In 1817 there was a brigade muster near
Stevens' Comer. In 1821, 1825, and 1827 there were regimental
musters on the plain east of the Village Cemetery, on the south
side of the turnpike (Winthrop Street). Some of the musters were
held also at South Rehoboth. The last muster of the regiment
was held under Colonel Lyndal Bowen, Oct. 16, 1833, on the
Marvel meadow, just west of tlie present Post-OflSce. The line
consisted of 300 men extending from east to west, and facing the
north. The officers on this occasion were, besides Colonel Bowen:
Rev. Otis Thompson, chaplain; Captains George W. Bliss, Philip
Nichols, and doubtless others. The earlier com[)anies had become
consolidated, e. g., the "Oak Swamp" with the ''Palmer's River.**
One of the lieutenants was Caleb G. Carpenter, with Gardner R.
Goff, Ensign. Some of die non-commissioned officers were:
Bradford B. Horton, Seth Ballou, Benjamin Bowen 2d, and Sam-
uel Macomber, sergeants. The musicians were I..eonard Wheeler
and Horatio Peck. Most of the men carried muskets, a few car-
ried rifles. Colonel Bowen rode a spirited bay horse belonging to
Grenville Stevens; and came near being unhorsed.
The regiment, according to custom, formed a square while the
chaplain ofTered his long prayer, sitting on his horse; wlien it
rained, Amos Bowen, more than six feet tall, held an umbrella
over him until his arms ached.^
'The writer received an account of this muster from the lips of Col. Bowen
himtelf.
MILITIA OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASS.
153
It is worthy of mention that Colonel Bowen with his regiment
was appointed to escort President Andrew Jackson on his visit
to Paw tucket, June 21, 1833. The regiment was disbanded April
24, 1840, after a history of one hundred and fifty years, all its
members being discharged by a general order.
Note: — The men had to train from eighteen to forty-five years of age. Each
captain had his company out for military inspection on the first Tuesday in
May; he also met his company twice in the tall, besides the general muster
when the whole regiment met to train. Each man had to arm and equip him-
self with musket, a good iron or steel ramrod, a cartridge-box containing twenty-
four rounds of cartridges, priming wire and brush, two spare flints and knap-
sack. The town furnished cartridges on muster day. The old powder-house
stood at the southwest corner of the Village Cemetery.
Capt. Hunt's Company, Rehoboth Militia, Nov. 24, 1710
(From an old manuscript dim with age.)
Blanden, Daniel.
Blanden, Noah.
Blanden, Obadiah.
Blanden, Samuel.
Blanden, William.
Bliss, Jonathan.
Bliss, Samuel.
Bliss, Thomas.
Bosworth, Jabez.
Bos worth, Jonathan.
Bowen, James.
Brag, John.
Brag, Richard.
Brag, Thomas.
Bullock, Ebenezer.
Bullock, Samuel.
Carpenter, Abraham.
Carpenter, Jotham.
Carter, Isaac.
Carter, Thomas.
ChalTc, Jonathan.
ChafTe, Thomas.
Fuller, Samuel.
Gernsey, Joseph.
Gurnsey, Ebenezer.
11 ix, Ephriam.
Hix, Ephriam, Jr.
Horton, John.
Horton, Thomas.
Hunt, .
Hunt, Daniel.
Hunt, John.
Hunt, Peter.
Hunt, Stephen, Drummer.
Ingols, Edmond.
Kingsley, Jonathan.
Lake, Gershom.
Martyne, Ephriam.
Martyne, John.
Martyne, Militiah.
Millard, Ephriam.
Millard, Nehemiah.
Ormsbe, Ezrah.
Ormsbe, Jacob.
Ormsbe, Jeremiah.
Ormsbe, Jonathan.
Ormsbe, Thomas.
Pain, Joseph.
Peck, Daniel.
Peck, Ichabod.
Peck, Jethniel.
Peck, Joseph, Jr.
Peck, Nathan.
Peirce, Ephriam.
Perry, David.
Rediway, James.
Rediway, Preserved.
Round, Richard.
Salisbury, James.
Smith, Ebenezer.
Smith, John.
Smith, Joshua.
154
HISTORY OP REHOBOTH
Thompson, John.
Thrasher, Arthur.
Thrasher, Nathan.
Thurber, James.
West, John.
West, John.
West, William.
Wheton, Ephriam, Jr.
Wheaton, James.
Wheeller, James.
Whitaker, Nathaniel.
Whitaker, Samuell.
Willson, Benjamin.
Willson, James.
[INSCRIPTION.]
Plymouth Colony. This monument by order of Government to perpetuate
the place on which the late station or Angle Tree formerly stood. The Com-
missioners appointed b^ the old Colonies of Plymouth and Massachusetts
to run and establish this line in 1664 were Robert Stetson, Constant South-
worth, Josias Winslow, Jos. Fisher, Roger Clap and Eleazer Luther. They
began this work the 10th of May the same year, and marked a tree then
standing on this spot, it being three miles south of the southernmost part
of Charles River. Lemuel KoTlock, Esq. was appointed Agent to cause this
monument to be erected by order of the Geiierul Court. The Selectmen of
the towns of Wrentham and Attleborough were present, via: Klisha May,
Ebenezer Tyler, and Caleb Richardson Esquires or Attleborough.
From this stone the line runs East 20 degrees and a half North to Accord
Pond. Done at Wrentham Nov. 20th 1790 by Samuel Fisher and Samuel Jr.
MitrkiiiK
nlx-ii N..rtli AlllrlHirouKli
ANGLfVrUKK MDNl'MKNT
ry liplwptpi rtymniilli hikI MaMiirhiixetl!' <»
iiirIi niKl WrfnIliHiii until IKHT.
R
Ss,'l
1
E
^^^ .■ J
1
fe
1^^^
1
CHAPTER V
REHOBOTH SOLDIERS AND SAILORS
IN THE CIVIL WAR
Great pains have been taken to make the following list com-
plete and accurate. The military archives of the State have been
carefully examined for each man's record, revealing numerous
errors on the town roster which are now corrected as far as possible.
It is found that many Rehoboth men helped to make up the quota
of other towns, while, on the contrary, seventeen of the twenty
who served Rehoboth in the navy, as well as numerous other
recruits, were furnished from outside.
The men from Rehoboth who enlisted in Rhode Island are given
according to the roster of that State. Most of these men are
claimed by both Rhode Island and Rehoboth. Should litigation
arise each case might have to be settled by the Supreme Court.
Some of the men, however, served in both states by re-enlistment.
Even within the limits of our own state it is doubtful where cer-
tain men should be credited. Much complexity arises from the
custom of trading in men between towns for the filling of their
respective quotas. A man whose service was bought by Re-
hoboth, e. g., might later be disposed of to another town, and
vice versa; thus leading to error in the town records. The adjutant-
general's list, however, is received as authority.
Rehoboth men who are known to be credited elsewhere arc
given under a separate list, excepting those who enlisted in Rhode
Island, who, with few exceptions, are placed in the accredited
Rehoboth list.
When the date of one's muster is uncertain, the date of his en-
listment, if known, is given.
Credit is given to Sergeant William H. Luther for his courtesy
in supplying certain facts within his own observation.
Rehoboth's population in 1860 was 1,932; its valuation was
$884,436. The town clerk during the war was Cyrus M. Wheaton,
and the town treasurer, George H. Carpenter.
Rehoboth was reported in 1866 to have furnished one hundred
and sixty men for the war, which was thought to be less than the
(15S]
156 HISTORY OF RBHOBOTH
actual number. The revised and corrected list here given of ac-
credited men shows one hundred and sixty-three, including the
seamen.
Between May 10, 1861, and Oct., 1865, inclusive, no less than
ten special town meetings were called to act on the enlistment of
or provision for the soldiers or their families. We here refer to
the more important of these.
At a special town meeting, May 1, 1861, it was voted to raise
a company of volunteers and borrow money as might be needed
for their' equipment. The following committee was appointed for
soliciting volunteers: J. C. Marvel, D. G. Horton, N. B. Horton,
Harrison Willis, and M. R. Randall.
At a special meeting held July 28, 1862, it was voted to pay a
bounty of $125 to each volunteer who shall enlist for three years
and be credited to the town, if said quota is filled by September.
At a special meeting, Aug. 14, 1862, it was voted to increase the
bounty paid to each volunteer for a three years* enlistment from
$125 to $300.
At a meeting held Aug. 22, 1862, it was voted to pay the sum
of $200 to each person who shall enlist as a volunteer for the term
of nine months to make up the quota of the town of 300,000
lately ordered by the President, and the treasurer shall be author-
ized to borrow $6,600.
At a special meeting, Dec. 7, 1863, Nathl. B. Horton was chosen
agent to see that the town's quota was filled.
According to Schouler, ''Massachusetts in the Civil War,*' the
whole amount of money appropriated and expended by the town
on account of the war, exclusive of state aid, was $31,032.26.
The amount raised and expended by the town during the four
years of war for state aid to soldiers' families and afterwards re-
paid by the Commonwealth, amounted to $6,271.62.
The women of Rehoboth contributed to the wants of the soldiers
by sending them barrels of clothing and other articles. This was
done through "The Home Circle" and *'The Congregational
Church Home Circle."
The Rehoboth Contingent
Appleby, Edward. Drafted. Mustered in Sept. 28, 1863, Co.
K, 12th Mass. Inf. Discharged March 25, 1865. Vet. Rel.
I'KANC'IS A. ULISS. (juartcrniasler Serges
WILLIAM II. LDTIIKII. S.tbi
SOLDIERS AND SAILORS IN JHE CIVIL WAR 157
Baker, Otis Allen. Enlisted April 16, 1861, Co. A, 1st Rhode
Island Inf., for three months. Wounded in arm at Bull Run,
Va., July 21, 1861. Discharged immediately. Re-enlisted
Sept., 1861, in 4th Rhode Island Inf. Sergeant, promoted to
2d Lieutenant, Nov. 20, 1861. Resigned Sept. 11, 1862.
Re-enlisted Sept. 18, 1862, in Co. H, 3d Mass. Inf., and com-
missioned Captain. Served with the regiment in North
Carolina until mustered out, June 26, 1863, at Lakeville,
Mass. Commissioned Captain of the 18th Mass. unattached
Company, Aug. 6, 1864. Served 100 days at Gallup 's Island.
Commissioned Captain Dec. 10, 1864, for one year's service.
Discharged May 12, 1865. Born in Rehoboth, son of Ira S.
and Sarah Ann (Allen) Baker. Died June 14, 1910, aged 72.
Bennett, George W. Mustered in Nov. 15, 1864, 1st Mass.
Heavy Artillery. Discharged May 6, 1865. One year.
Buss, Francis A. Mustered in Oct., 1861, Co. I, 1st Mass.
Cavalry. Re-enlisted at the front, Jan. 1, 1864; Quarter-
master Sergeant. Discharged Nov. 27, 1865. Born in Reho-
both, son of Abiah and Julia Ann (Sturtevant) Bliss. Died
Nov. 17, 1914, aged 76.
Bliss, Francis V. Enlisted Aug. 14, 1862, Co. H, 40th Mass.
Inf., for three years. Wounded at Thatcher's Farm, Va.,
May 20, 1864. Discharged June 23, 1865. Son of Elijah
and Sarah Bliss. Married. Died in 1894.
Buss, Gilbert S. Mustered in Oct. 13, 1862, Co. E, 12th Rhode
Island Inf., for nine months. Discharged July 29, 1863.
Son of Gilbert and Ardelia Bliss.
Bliss, Joshua S. Enlisted Sept. 18, 1862. Mustered in Sept.
23, 1862, Co. H, 3d Mass. Inf. Discharged June 26, 1863.
Nine months. Re-enlisted Aug. 6, 1864, in 18th Mass. un-
attached Company for 100 days. Discharged Nov. 14, 1864.
Re-enlisted Dec. 10, 1864, in 18th Mass. unattached Company
for one year; 1st Sergeant. Discharged May 12, 1865.
Born in Bristol, N.Y. Son of Otis and Alice Bliss.
Bliss, Thomas. Mustered in Sept. 23, 1862, Co. C, 4th Mass.
Inf. Born in Rehoboth. Son of Abiah and Julia Ann (Stur-
tevant) Bliss. Died May 18, 1863, at Berwick, La., aged 21.
BoswoRTH, Gardner D. Mustered in Feb. 14, 1862, Co. L, 3d
Rhode Island Heavy Artillery. Discharged March 17, 1866.
Son of Luther and Mary Bosworth. Died 189 — .
Bos WORTH, George H. Mustered in March 4, 1864, Co. D, 3d
Mass. Cavalry. Was absent, sick, Sept. 28, 1865.
Branaghan, James. Mustered in Oct. 5, 1861, Co. H, 3d Rhode
Island Heavy Artillery. Discharged Oct. 5, 1864.
158 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
Brown, Arnold DeF. Mustered in May 26, 1862, Co. B, 10th
Rhode Island Inf. under the name DeForest Brown. Db-
charged at expiration of term; three months. Re-enlisted
Sept. 23, 1862, Co. II, 3d Mass. Inf. Discharged June 26,
1863. 1st Sergeant. Re-enlisted Sept. 15, 1863, Co. K, 3d
Rhode Island Cavalry. Promoted to 2d Lieutenant, Feb.
6, 1864. Acting quartermaster of detachment, April, 1865,
and so borne until June, 1865. Discharged Nov. 29, 1865.
Son of £. Arnold and Charlotte W. (Peck) Brown. Bom in
Woodstock, Ct. Married. Died Dec. 26, 1874, aged 31.
Brown, Edward P. Enlisted Aug. 27, 1862. Commissioned 2d
Lieutenant, Aug. 30, 1862, Co. I, Rhode Island Inf. Pro-
moted to 1st Lieutenant Jan. 13, 1863. Promoted to Captain
March 2, 1863. Brevetted Major of Vols, for gallant conduct
at Ft. Sedgwick and Petersburg. Mustered out at his re-
quest June 5, 1865. Son of E. Arnold and Charlotte W. (Peck)
Brown. Died, 1909, aged 69.
Brown, Henry J. Enlisted Aug. 29, 1864, in 61st Mass. Inf. for
one year. Discharged June 4, 1865.
Brown, Jambs P. Mustered in May 26, 1862, Co. C, 10th Rhode
Island Inf. Discharged Sept. 1, 1862; 100 days. Re-en-
listed Dec. 31, 1863, in Co. H, 14th Rhode Island Heavy
Artillery; 2d Lieutenant. Son of E. Arnold and Charlotte
W. (Peck) Brown. Died in service at Donaldsonville, La.,
Aug. 23, 1865, aged 20.
Brownly, Wiluam a. Mustered in Nov. 30, 1864, 7th Mass.
Battery Light Artillery for one year. Discharged Nov. 10,
1865. Corporal.
BuLJXX)K, Gilbert D. Mustered in Sept. 23, 1862, Co. H, 3d
Mass. Inf. Discharged June 26, 1803. Nine months. Son
of Timothy and Phebe (Chace) Bullock. Born in Rehoboth.
Married. Died in Winter of 1904, aged 76.
Carpenter, Augustus W. Mustered in Dec. 4, 1861, Co. I, 1st
Mass. Cavalry. Transferred to 4th regiment. Re-enlisted
Jan. 1, 1864. Discharged Nov. 27, 1865. Quartermaster ser-
geant. Son of Thomas and Eliza (French) Carpenter. Died
at Stoughton, Mass.
Carpenter, Isaac H. Enlisted Sept. 18, 1862, Co. G, 4th Mass.
Inf., for nine months. Discharged Aug. 28, 1863. Son of
Ira and Mary Ann (Hall) Carpenter. Died at Taunton,
July, 1866, aged 24.
Chaffee, Jonathan. Mustered in Aug. 21, 1861, Co. E, 3d
Rhode Island Heavy Artillery. Discharged Aug. 31, 1864.
Son of Jonathan and Margaret Chaffee.
SOLDIERS AND SAILORS IN THE CIVIL WAR 159
Chaffee, Willard. Mustered in Aug. 21, 1861, Co. E, 3d Rhode
Island Heavy Artillery. Son of Jonathan and Margaret
Chaffee. Killed in battle at James Island, S. C, June 16»
1862.
Clark, John J. Enlisted and mustered in Aug. 27, 1864, Co. B»
61st Mass. Inf. Discharged June 4, 1865.
Cole, Francis G. Enlisted Aug. 14, 1862. Mustered in Sept. 1»
1862, Co. H, 40th Mass. Inf. Discharged Feb. 16, 1865. for
disability. Son of George C. and Mary A. (Rounds) Cole.
Born in Rehoboth.
CoPELAND, Cyrus F. Mustered in Sept. 16, 1862, Co. K, 43d
Mass. Inf. Discharged July 30, 1863. Nine months. Res-
idence, North Bridgewater.
Crane, David. Mustered in Aug. 16, 1864, Co. E, 1st Mass.
Cavalry. Discharged May 8, 1865. One year. Residence^
Haverhill.
Curtis, George E. Mustered in Sept. 23, 1862, Co. H, 3d Mass.
Inf. Discharged June 26, 1863. Re-enlisted Dec. 10, 1864,
in 18th Mass. unattached Company. Discharged May 12,
1865. One year. Son of Edward and Eliza Curtis.
Daley, John. Mustered in Aug. 17, 1864, 2d Mass. Cavalry.
Discharged July 2, 1865.
Davis, Albanus K. Mustered in Aug. 29, 1864, Co. B, 61st
Mass. Inf. Discharged June 4, 1865. One year.
Davis, George L. Drafted. Mustered in Aug. 28, 1863, Co. A,
22d Mass. Inf. Son of Hiram and Almeda (Pettis) Davb»
Died in hospital at Willett's Point, L.I., July 25, 1864, from
wound in hip, received near Petersburg, Va. Age, 21.
Davis, James C. Mustered in Oct. 29, 1861, Co. F, 1st Rhode
Island Light Artillery. Son of James M. and Lois (Parish)
Davis. Killed at Drury's Bluff, Va., May 16, 1864, aged 23.
Douglass, Charles E. Mustered in Dec. 16, 1861, Co. A, 1st
Rhode Island Inf. Promoted to 2d Lieutenant Co. F, Feb.
14, 1863. Discharged Jan. 5, 1865, by special order.
Drown, Hiram H. Drafted. Mustered in Aug. 19, 1863, Co. H,
16th Mass. Inf. Son of Hiram and Miriam (Go(f) Drown.
Died in camp Jan. 7, 1864, near Brandy Station, Va. Bur-
ied at Rehoboth Village.
Drury, Martin V. Mustered in Nov. 23, 1864, 61st Mass. Inf.
Discharged July 16, 1865. Corporal. One year.
D WELLY, John. Mustered in Sept. 7, 1864, Co. F, 2d Mass.
Heavy Artillery. Transferred to 17th Mass. Inf. Discharged
June 30, 1865.
160 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
Parrel, Dominick. Mustered in Sept. 23, 1862, Co. H, 3d Mass.
Inf. Discharged June 26, 1863. Re-enlisted in 132d N.Y.
Vols.
FoRAN, Patrick. Mustered in Nov. 22, 1864, 10th Mass. Bat-
tery Light Artillery. Discharged June 9, 1865. One year.
Prancis, Darius P. Mustered in Sept. 23, 1862, Co. H, 3d Mass.
Inf. Discharged June 26, 1863. Son of Elbridge G. and Lydia
W. (Talbot) Prancis. Died April 26, 1891.
Prancis David W. Mustered in Sept. 23, 1862, Co. H, 3d Mass.
Inf. Discharged June 26, 1863. Nine months. Re-enlisted
Aug. 6, 1864, in 18th Mass. unattached Company. Dis-
charged Nov. 14, 1864. Corporal. 100 days. Son of Brad-
ford and Abby (Westcott) Prancis. Born in Rehoboth. Died,
1913, aged 72.
Prazzell, Wiluam H. Mustered in March 17, 1864, Co. B, 3d
Mass. Cavalry. Discharged Sept. 26, 1865.
Preelove, Henry B. Mustered in Peb. 27, 1862, 1st Rhode
Island Cavalry. Died at Andersonville prison, Ga., May 8,
1864.
Prost, Henry F. Mustered in Aug. 1, 1861, Co. G, 2d New
York Heavy Artillery. Corporal. Son of William P. and
Lois (Bliss) Frost. Died of bronchitis, Feb. 20, 1864, aged
18, at Port Corcoran, Va.
Prost, Sylvanus. Enlisted Aug. 26, 1864, 1st Mass. Heavy
Artillery for one year. Discharged July 22, 1865.
Puller, Georqe E. Mustered in Oct. 29, 1861, Co. P, 1st Rhode
Island Light Artillery. Wounded at Newberne, N. C. Taken
prisoner. Exchanged and discharged for disability Sept. 1,
1862. Son of Timothy and Olive (Ilorton) Fuller.
Puller, Jason W. Mustered in Sept. 23, 1862, Co. H, 3d Mass.
Inf. Discharged for disability March 27, 1863. Wagoner.
Son of Timothy and Olive (Horton) Fuller. Married.
Gillespie, James P. Enlisted Nov. 25, 1864, 23d Mass. Inf.
Unassigned recruit, rejected Dec. 28, 1864.
GoFF, Albert W. Mustered in Aug. 6, 1864, 18th Mass. un-
attached Company for 100 days. Discharged Nov. 14, 1864.
Son of Ephraim and Laura A. Goff.
GoFF, Alfred H. Mustered in Nov. 15, 1861, Co. C, 2d Rhode
Island Vols. Wounded at Salem Heights, Va., May 3, 1863.
Discharged Nov. 15, 1864. (Co. E, Vet. Rel. Corps.) Son of
Alfred and Mary Goff.
GoFF, Andrew J. Mustered in Sept. 23, 1862, Co. H, 3d Mass.
Inf. Discharged June 26, 1863. Nine months. Re-enlisted
SOLDIERS AND SAILORS IN THE CIVIL WAR 161
Aug. 6, 1864, in 18th Mass. unattached Company. Dis-
charged Nov. 14, 1864. 100 days. Son of Ephraim and Laura
A. GofT. Died March, 1899.
GoFF, Gamaliel. Enlisted Sept. 30, 1861, Battery E, Rhode
Island Light Artillery. Discharged Feb. 2, 1863, for dis-
ability. Married. Son of Baylies and Mercy Goff. Died 1913.
GoFF, George O. Enlisted Dec. 31, 1861, Co. M, 3d Rhode
Island Heavy Artillery. Discharged March 17, 1865. Son of
Azariah and Belinda Goff.
GoFF, Henry A. Enlisted Dec. 31, 1861, Co. D, 3d Rhode Island
Heavy Artillery. Discharged March 17, 1865. Son of Joseph
and Patience Goff.
Goff, Henry C. Mustered in Aug. 6, 1864, 18th Mass. unat-
tached Company. Discharged Nov. 14, 1864. 100 days.
Son of George E. and Maria Goff. Died Sept., 1900, aged 64.
Goff, Willard J. Enlisted Sept. 8, 1862, Co. B, 127th New
York Battery. Discharged Aug., 1865. Son of Alfred and
Mary Goff. Died in Rehoboth, May, 1880.
Goff, William D. Mustered in Aug. 6, 1864, 18th Mass. un-
attached Company. Discharged Nov. 14, 1864. 100 days.
Son of Nathan and Polly Goff.
Green, George. Mustered in Sept. 23, 1862, Co. H, 3d Mass.
Inf. Discharged June 26, 1863. Married. Son of Thomas
and Ruth Green. Died Jan., 1900.
Haley, John. Enlisted Aug. 16, 1861, Co. F, 3d Rhode Island
Heavy Artillery. Discharged Oct. 5, 1864. Re-enlisted Dec.
10, 1864, in 18th Mass. unattached Company. Discharged
May 12, 1865.
Hanly, Andrew F. Mustered in Sept. 23, 1862, Co. H, 3d Mass.
Inf. Discharged June 26, 1863. Re-enlisted Oct. 10, 1863,
3d Rhode Island Cavalry. Discharged 1865. Son of James
and Margaret Hanly.
Hanly, Edward. Mustered in Sept. 23, 1862, Co. H, 3d Mass.
Inf. Discharged June 26, 1863. Re-enlisted Aug. 6, 1864,
in 18th Mass. unattached Company. Discharged Nov. 14,
1864. Corporal. Son of James and Margaret Hanly. Died
Sept., 1910.
Hanly, James. Mustered in Aug. 6, 1864, 18th Mass. unattached
Company. Discharged Nov. 14, 1864. 100 days. Son of
James and Margaret Hanly.
Harlow Aaron S. Mustered in Sept. 18, 1862, Co. K, 43d Mass.
Inf. Discharged July 16, 1863. Residence, North Bridge-
water.
11
162 HISTORY OF REHOBOTII
Harrington, Daniel. Mustered in Sept. 23, 1862, Co. H, 3d
Mass. Inf. Discharged June 26, 1863. Re-enlisted Oct. 10,
1863, Co. C, 3d Rhode Island Cavalry. Discharged Nov. 19,
1865. Married. Son of John and Mary Harrington. Died
April 12, 1891.
Harris, Jabbz L. Mustered in Oct. 30, 1861, Co. C, 4th Rhode
Island Inf. Discharged for disability, Feb. 27, 1863. Son of
Woodbury and Elizabeth Harris.
Heyworth, George. Enlisted Aug. 27, 1864, 61st Mass. Inf.
for one year. Discharged June 20, 1865.
Hicks, John F. Mustered in Sept. 23, 1862, Co. H, 3d Mass.
Inf. Discharged June 26, 1863. Nine months. Re-enlisted
Aug. 1, 1864, 18th Mass. unattached Company. Discharged
Nov. 14, 1864. 100 days. Son of John and Avice (Baker)
Hicks.
HiQQiNS, Michael. Mustered in Oct. 5, 1861, Co. A, 3d Rhode
Island Heavy Artillery. Promoted to 2d Lieutenant June 6,
1863; to 1st Lieutenant, Feb. 17, 1864. Discharged March
17, 1865, at Hilton Head, S.C.
Hill, Charles. Enlisted March 16, 1864, 3d Mass. Cavalry.
Deserted May 16, 1864.
Hill, Thomas. Mustered in Sept. 23, 1862, Co. H, 3d Mass.
Inf. Discharged June 26, 1863. Re-enlisted Dec. 10, 1864, in
18th Mass. unattached Company for one year. Discharged
May 12, 1865. Married. Son of Thomas.
HoRTON, Alfred A. Mustered in Sept. 23, 1862, Co. H, 3d Mass.
Inf. Discharged June 26, 1863. Nine months. Re-enlisted
Aug. 6, 1864, IStli Mass. unattached Company. Discharged
Nov. 14, 1864. 100 days. Son of Benson and Permilla Hor-
ton. Born in Rehoboth.
HoRTON, CiiAiiLES D. Enlisted May 20, 1862, Co. A, 9th Rhode
Island Inf. Discharged Sept. 2, 1862. Re-enlistcd Aug. 6,
1864, 18th Mass. unattached Company. Discharged Nov.
14,1864. Corporal. 100 days. Son of Seth and Olive (Briggs)
Horton. Born in Swansea.
HoRTON, Edwin R. M. Enlisted Aug. 20, 1861. Co. A, 3d Rhode
Island Heavy Artillery. Son of Darius and Harriet (Baker)
Horton. Died of fever at Hilton Head, S. C, Jan. 17, 1862,
aged 22 years. Buried at Cole Brook Cemetery.
HoRTON, Francis W. Enlisted Aug. 20, 1861, Co. A, 3d Rhode
Island Heavy Artillery. Re-enlisted. Wounded and taken
prisoner at Gainsville, Fla., Aug. 17, 1864. Discharged Aug.
31, 1864. Son of Darius and Harriet (Baker) Horton.
HoRTON, Freeman F. Mustered in Aug. 6, 1864, 18th Mass.
unattached Company. Discharged Nov. 14, 1864. 100 days.
SOLDIERS AND SAILORS IN THE CIVIL WAR 163
HoRTON, John F. Mustered in May 2, 1861, 1st Rhode Island
Light Artillery. Discharged Aug. 6, 1861. Three months.
Residence, Providence, R.I. Son of John W. and Mary Ann
(Wheeler) Horton.
HoRTON, Nathan B. Mustered in Aug. 18, 1862, Co. H, 40th
Mass. Inf. Son of Seth and Olive (Briggs) Horton. Died
Oct. 19, 1864, while on a furlough.
Jansen, Soren. Enlisted March 18, 1864, Co. M, 3d Mass.
Cavalry. Died July 16, 1864.
Kent, Alba B. Mustered in Sept. 23, 1862, Co. H, 3d Mass.
Inf. Discharged June 26, 1863. Nine months.
Lake, Joseph W. Enlisted May 26, 1862, Co. C, 10th Rhode
Island Inf. Discharged Sept. 1, 1862. Three months. Re-
enlisted Dec. 10, 1864, in 18th unattached Mass. Company.
Discharged May 12, 1865. Corporal. Son of Williams and
Mary C. (Wheaton) Lake. Born in Rehoboth.
Lane, Ebenezer M. Drafted July 15, 1863. Killed at Spott-
sylvania Court House, May 12, 1864, aged 36. Son of Isaiah
and Mercy (Drown) Lane.
Larson, Charles. Mustered in March 16, 1864, Co. B, 28th
Mass. Inf. Absent sick, from May 29, 1864. Hence no dis-
charge.
Leonard, Joseph F. Enlisted Aug. 1, 1864, 18th Mass. unat-
tached Company. Discharged Nov. 14, 1864. 100 days.
Son of George W. and Ruth Leonard. Married.
Leonard, Melvin G. Enlisted Dec. 10, 1864, 18th Mass. un-
attached Company. Discharged May 12, 1865. One year.
Married.
Lewis, James M. Mustered in Jan. 1, 1863, 2d Rhode Island
Cavalry. Transferred to Co. F, 1st La. Cavalry, Aug. 24,
1863. Transferred to Co. I, 3d Rhode Island Cavalry, Jan.
14, 1864. Discharged Nov. 29, 1865. Son of Timothy and
Louisa (Horton) Lewis.
Lothrop, Henry H. Mustered in Sept. 23, 1862, Co. H, 3d Mass.
Inf. Discharged June 26, 1863. Corporal. Married. Son of
William H. and Lydia M. (Pearse) Lothrop. Lost at sea, 1865.
Luther, Allen B. Mustered in Sept. 23, 1862, Co. H, 3d Mass.
Inf. Discharged June 26, 1863. Drummer. Son of Ira and
Nancy (Bowen) Luther. Died 1864, aged 21.
Luther, Hale S. Mustered in Sept. 23, 1862, Co. H, 3d Mass.
Inf. Discharged June 26, 1863. Son of Levi and Abigail
(Bliss) Luther. Married. Died April 22, 1895, aged 65.
164 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
Luther, Wiluam H. Mustered in Sept. 23, 1862, Co. H, 3d
Mass. Inf. Discharged June 26, 1863. Re-enlisted Aug. 1,
1864, in 18th Mass. unattached Company. Discharged Nov.
14, 1864. 100 days. Corporal. Re-enlisted Dec. 10, 1864,
18th Mass. unattached Company for one year. Discharged
May 12, 1865. Sergeant. Son of Rhodolphus and Lepha
(GoflF) Luther.
Macdonald, John 2d. Enlisted Aug. 17, 1864, Co. K, 4th Mass.
Heavy Artillery. Discharged July 13, 1865. One year.
Residence, New Hampshire.
Magill, Benjamin. Drafted July 16, 1863, Co. C, 54th Mass.
(colored) Inf. Died in hospital at Morris Island, S.C., Oct.
15, 1864.
Magoun, Charles W. Mustered in Aug. 25, 1864, Co. M, 3d
Mass. Heavy Artillery. Discharged Oct. 5, 1864 (special
favor, etc.).
Martin, Elbridqe J. Enlisted June 16, 1861, Co. C, 7th Mass.
Inf. Deserted Jan. 20, 1863. Son of Benjamin.
Martin, Hiram L. Enlisted May 7, 1861, 7th Mass. Inf. Drop-
ped from the Rolls April 26, 1864.
Martin, Kinqbley. Enlisted June 16, 1861, Co. C, 7th Mass.
Inf. Discharged July 3, 1863.
McAllister, Clarence. Enlisted Sept. 1, 1864, Co. E, 61st
Mass. Inf. Discharged June 4, 1865. One year.
McElroy, Kennedy. Enlisted Aug. 19, 1862, Co. I, 38th Mass.
Inf. Three years. Deserted Nov. 10, 1862.
McHenry, Paul. Enlisted Nov. 16, 1864, Co. L, 3d Mass.
Heavy Artillery. Deserted July 22, 1865. One year.
McKenna, Edward. Enlisted Nov. 16, 1864, Co. G, 2d Mass.
Cavalry. Discharged July 20, 1865. One year.
Moulton, James F. Mustered in Sept. 23, 1862, Co. H, 3d Mass.
Inf. Discharged June 26, 1863. Nine months. Son of
James B. and Abigail W. (Carpenter) Moulton. Died May
4, 1883, aged 43.
Moulton, Stephen C. Enlisted Sept. 23, 1861, Co. I, 1st Mass.
Cavalry. Re-enlisted June 1, 1864. Discharged Nov. 27,
1865. Son of James B. and Abigail W. (Carpenter) Moulton.
Died 1908, aged 71.
MuNROE, Benjamin C. Enlisted Jan. 2, 1864, Co. C, 58th Mass.
Inf. Killed near Spottsylvania Court House, Va., May 15,
1864.
Murphy, Edward P. Enlisted Aug. 29, 1862, Co. H, 2d Mass.
Cavalry. Discharged July 20, 1865. Three years.
SOLDIERS AND SAILORS IN THE CIVIL WAR 166
O'Brien, John. Enlisted Nov. 21, 1864, Co. G, 61st Mass. Inf.
Discharged by G. C. M., June 22, 1865.
Oldridoe, Daniel H. Mustered in Aug. 6, 1864, 18th Mass.
unattached Company. Discharged Nov. 14, 1864. 100 days.
Son of Samuel.
Olsen, Jens. Enlisted March 18, 1864, 3d Mass. Cavalry. De-
serted as recruit without joining any regiment.
Parker, George W. Mustered in Oct. 29, 1861, Battery F, 1st
Rhode Island Light Artillery. Discharged Oct. 28, 1864.
Three years.
Paul, Benjamin F. Enlisted Sept. 18, 1862, Co. G, 4th Mass.
Inf. Discharged Sept., 1863. Died 1863.
Payne, John C. Enlisted Jan. 7, 1864, Co. E, 4th Mass. Cavalry.
Discharged Nov. 14, 1865. Married.
Peacock, Alonzo. Enlisted Aug. 7, 1864, Co. K, 4th Mass.
Heavy Artillery. Discharged June 17, 1865. One year.
Peck, Edwin A. Enlisted Aug. 14, 1862, Co. H, 40th Mass. Inf.
Son of Cyril C. 2d and Hannah H. (Bliss) Peck. Died Jan.
5, 1864, at Hilton Head, B.C.
Peck, George G. Enlisted May, 1861, Co. D, 7th Mass. Inf.
Lost an eye in battle. Transferred to Vet. Res. Corps, Sept.
30, 1863. Corporal. Discharged 1864.
Peck, Thomas W. D. Enlisted May 26, 1862, Co. I, 9th Rhode
Island Inf. Discharged Sept. 2, 1862. Son of Philip and
Frances J. (Barney) Peck. Died in 1900, aged 55.
PiiiLUPS, Alexander. Enlisted Aug. 9, 1864, Co. B, 1st Mass.
Cavalry. One year. Discharged at close of the war.
Pierce, Abraham. Enlisted Oct. 15, 1862, Co. H, 3d Mass. Inf.
Discharged June 26, 1863. Nine months. Son of Jeremiah.
Married. Died in Rehoboth, Dec. 1, 1890, aged 62.
Pierce (Pearce) Dexter D. Mustered in June 6, 1861, Co. A,
1st Rhode Island Light Artillery. Discharged June 17, 1864.
Died May, 1915.
Pierce, Wheaton. Enlisted Aug. 14, 1862, Co. H, 40th Mass.
Inf. Son of Joshua and Betsy Pierce. Married. Killed by a
shell June 6, 1864, at Cold Harbor, Va., aged 32.
Pierce, William F. Mustered in Aug. 6, 1864, 18th Mass. un-
attached Company. Discharged Nov. 14, 1864. 100 days.
Afterwards enlisted in Vet. Rel. Corps.
Potter, David. Mustered in Dec. 16, 1861, Co. E, 5th Rhode
Island Heavy Artillery. Discharged Nov. 20, 1864, at New-
berne, N.C.
166 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
Reynolds, John M. Enlisted Oct. 1, 1862, Co. G, 11th Rhode
Island Inf. Discharged July 13, 1863. Nine months. Re-
enlisted in 3d Rhode Island Cavalry.
Roach, James. Mustered in Sept. 23, 1862, Co. H, 3d Mass.
Inf. Discharged June 26, 1863. Nine months. Married.
Sherman, Edward P. L. Mustered in Aug. 18, 1862, Co. H, 40th
Mass. Inf. Married. Died at Ft. Independence, Boston,
1863.
Simmons, Francis H. Enlisted Nov. 20, 1861, Co. F, 2gth Mass.
Inf. Died at Harper's Ferry, Va., Oct. 12, 1862.
Smith, Albert F. Enlisted Sept. 26, 1862, Co. G, 4th Mass.
Inf. Son of William and Eliza (White) Smith. Died Aug.
12, 1863, at Cairo, III., while on his way home, aged 21.
Steimle, Theodore. Enlisted Nov. 17, 1864, Co. G, 19th Mass.
Inf. Discharged June 30, 1865. One year.
Thatcher, James J. Mustered in Aug. 6, 1864, 18th Mass. un-
attached Company. Discharged Nov. 14, 1864. 100 days.
Re-enlisted Dec. 10, 1864, 18th Mass. unattached Company.
Discharged May 12, 1805. One year.
Thayer, Lorenzo J. Enlisted Sept. 23, 1862, Co. C, 47th Mass.
Inf. Died Aug. 16, 1863, of fever, while in service at Cleve-
land, O. Nine months.
Thorp, John. Enlisted Nov. 15, 1864, Co. B, 4th Mass. Cavalry.
Discharged Nov. 14, 1865. One year.
Thresher, George II. Enlisted Feb. 8, 1864, Co. B, 58th Mass.
Inf. Discharged June 20, 1865, for disability. Three years.
Married.
Thurber, Francis W. Mustered in Sept. 1, 1862, Co. H, 40th
Mass. Inf. Transferred Nov. 15, 1864, to Vet. Rel. Corps.
Discharged July 3, 1865. Three years.
Thcjrber, Jeremiah. Mustered in Sept. 18, 1862, Co. H, 3d
Mass. Inf. Discharged June 26, 1863. Nine months.
Thurber, Nathaniel. Enlisted Dec. 0, 1861, Co. G, 20th Mass.
Inf. Discharged Feb. 12, 1863, for disability.
TiLTON, Charles W. Mustered in Sept. 23, 1862, Co. K, 43d
Mass. Inf. Discharged July 30, 1863. Nine months.
Towle, John W. Enlisted Aug. 29, 1864, Co. B, 61st Mass. Inf.
Discharged June 4, 1865. One year.
Trenn, Henry Clay. Mustered in Aug. 6, 1864, 18th Mass.
unattached Company. Discharged Nov. 14, 1864. 100 days.
Died June, 1886. Interred at Burial Place Hill.
SOLDIERS AND SAILORS IN THE CIVIL WAR 167
Tripp, George A. Mustered in Sept. 23, 1862, Co. H, 3d Mass.
Inf. Discharged June 26, 1863. Nine months. Married.
Tucker, John M. Enlisted March 16, 1864, 2d Mass. Cavahy.
Deserted, 1864.
Ulxribren, Carl. Enlisted March 18, 1864, Co. M, 3d Mass.
Cav. Died Nov. 10, 1864, at Baltimore.
Valett, Alexander. Enlisted May, 1861, Co. H, 7th Mass. Inf.
Discharged July 5, 1864. Three years.
ViALL, George H. Mustered in Sept. 23, 1862, Co. H, 3d Mass.
Inf. Discharged June 26, 1863. Nine months. Son of Samuel
H. and Mary A. (Kent) Viall.
ViALL, Samuel H. Mustered in Oct. 11, 1862, Co. A, 43d Mass.
Inf. Discharged July 30, 1863. Nine months.
Walker, Arnold A. Enlisted June 6, 1861, Co. A, 1st Rhode
Island Light Artillery. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate,
Feb. 5, 1863. Died in hospital in Washington, Feb 19, 1863.
Wheeler, Parmenus E. Mustered in Sept. 2, 1861, 24th Mass.
Inf. Promoted to 2d Lieutenant Aug. 1, 1862; to 1st Lieu-
tenant March 7, 1864. Discharged Nov. 14, 1864, at expira-
tion of service. Son of Arunah and Melinda (Mason) Wheeler.
Whitaker, Herbert A. Enlisted Aug. 10, 1864, 22d Mass. un-
attached Company. Discharged Nov. 25, 1864. 100 days.
Re-enlisted Dec. 10, 1864. One year. Drummer. Dis-
charged May 12, 1865.
Williams, Caleb. Mustered in Sept. 23, 1862, Co. H, 3d Mass.
Inf. Discharged June 26, 1863. Nine months. Married.
Died in 1903.
List of Men who were either Born in Rehoboth or Lived
there at some time, but are credited elsewhere in
THE State Roster
Blanch ARD, Wiluam W.
Blanding, Abram O. Served during the war as surgeon in the
22d Iowa Inf. Son of James and Elizabeth (Carpenter)
Blanding. Died July 3 1 , 1892, aged 69.
Buss, Cornelius. Served in an Illinois regiment. Son of Elijah.
Buss, Edwin H. Grandson of Elijah.
Buss, Wheaton L. Served two years in Co. A, 17th Mass. Inf.
Son of George W. and Betsey (Bowen) Bliss. Born in Reho-
both. Credited to Seekonk.
Bowen, Charles. Served in 1st Rhode Island Cavalry. Res-
idence, North Rehoboth. Died 1904, aged 86.
168 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
BowEN, Charles W. Served in Ist Rhode Island Cavaby. Son
of Charles. Died 1902» aged 57.
BowEN, Ctrus a. Son of Charles. Died 1902, aged 44. Father
and sons buried in the ''Stevens Comer*' Cemetery.
BowEN, Edwin H.
Burton, Eusha P. Served in Co. H, 58th Mass. Inf. Died in
Rehoboth, at home of Capt. Geo. W. Bliss. Buried at Re-
hoboth Village.
Chipman, James S., M.D. After the war, resided in Rehoboth
several years and practiced medicine. Buried at Rehoboth
Village.
Connelly, Peter.
DiCKERMAN, Ezra. Enlisted 1861, 22d Mass. Inf. Discharged
for disability Feb. 7, 1864. Credited to Taunton.
DiCKERMAN, Irving. Enlisted 1861, Co. G, 24th Mass. Inf. Re-
enlisted Jan. 4, 1864. Discharged Jan. 20, 1866. Credited
to Berkeley.
Drown, Leonard. Captain in a New Hampshire regiment.
Son of Israel and Christiana A. (Carpenter) Drown. Killed
in battle at Williamsburg, Va., May 5, 1862. Buried at
Rehoboth Village.
Drury, John.
Francis, Henrt W. Enlisted May 1, 1861, Co. F, 7th Mass.
Inf. Discharged Oct., 1864. Credited to Taunton.
GoFF, Thomas L. Served in 11th Rhode Island Inf. Son of
Nathan Goif ; step-son of Baylies Goff.
Harrison, Gilbert F. Served in Battery A, 1st Rhode Island
Light Artillery. Wounded at Gettysburg. Transferred to
Vet. Rel. Corps, from which he was discharged. Buried at
E. Providence, Oct. 23, 1889, aged 62.
Horton, Anthony. Lieutenant in one of the Rhode Island bat-
teries. Son of John W. Horton. Buried at Rehoboth.
HoRTON, Sbtii a. Enlisted Aug. 14, 1862, Co. H, 40th Mass. Inf.
Discharged July 12, 1865. Credited to Dighton.
Horton, Wiluam H. Enlisted Aug. 15, 1862, Co. H, 39th Mass.
Inf.
Luther, Levi L. Enlisted June, 1861, Battery A, 1st Rhode
Island Light Artillery. Was in the first and second battles
of Bull Run and at Antietam. Afterwards sick and discharged
for disability. Son of Levi and Abigail (Bliss) Luther.
Credited to Providence, R.I. Served in 10th R.I. Battery.
100 days. Died in Rehoboth, March, 1914, aged 88.
Miller, Charles E.
Capt. constant s. HORTON
Dcpuly Huiit. of Providence I'ulice Forc«, illioile lalanH, 1011-1014.
WILLIAM M. 1>. ItOWKN, K>q.
LiauT. AMOS MILLKIt IKHYEN
SOLDIERS AND SAILORS IN THE CIVIL WAR 169
Packard, William D.
Parker, Thomas S. Enlisted June 13, 1862, Co. F, 1st Rhode
Island Battery Light Artillery. Discharged for disability^
March 6, 1863, at Newton University Hospital, Baltimore.
Corporal.
Perrt, James N. Enlis^d 1861, Co. I, 7th Mass. Inf. Lost a
leg in the battle of the Wilderness. Son of Nathaniel and
Mary Perry. Credited to Attleborough, and later to Fall
River. Died from wounds July 28, 1864, at Chestnut Hill
Hospital, Philadelphia, aged 21.
Perry, John S. Mustered in Sept. 16, 1862, Co. K, 43d Mass.
Inf. Discharged July 30, 1863. Credited to North Bridge-
water.
Perry, Marsden J. Enlisted Dec. 13, 1864, 26th Mass. unat-
tached Company. Discharged May 12, 1865. Son of Ho-
ratio M. and Susan Perry. Credited to Somerset.
Pierce, Charles. Served as Lieutenant in a Maine regiment*
Residence, South Rehoboth. Buried at Burial Place Hill*
Son of Elisha.
Pierce, Wilson D. "Member of the Rhode Island Hospital
Guard and veteran of the Civil War." Son of Joshua and
Betsey (Wheaton) Pierce. Buried at Cole Brook. Credited
to Dighton.
Potter, Alden. Enlisted Aug. 5, 1862, Co. H, 39th Mass. Inf.
Credited to Saugus.
Pratt, Albert S. 4th Mass. Inf. Credited to Taunton. (?)
Robinson, Stephen W. Enlisted Nov. 5, 1862, Co. B, 14th New
York Cavalry, age 17. Discharged at San Antonio, Texas,
Nov. 26, 1865. Residence, Brooklyn, N.Y. Since 1882 has
lived in Rehoboth.
Round, Ira H. 100 days. Son of Jotham.
Rounds, Gershom. Credited to Attleborough.
Salisbury, Thomas R. Served on U. S. S.S. "Brooklyn." With
Farragut at New Orleans. Died in Rehoboth, December^
1889.
Seagraves, David. Enlisted in a Kansas regiment. Was
wounded at battle of Springfield, Mo., where Gen. Lyon was
killed. Son of Rev. Edward and Harriet (Walker) Seagraves.
Died in Texas.
Smith, Daniel. Served in an Illinois regiment. With Grant at
capture of Fort Donelson in winter of 1862.
170 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
Thater, John J. Enlisted May, 1861, Co. I, 7th Mass. Inf.
Discharged Dec. 29, 1863, for disability.
Whbaton, Ctrus M. Mustered in Aug. 20, 1861, Co. B, 18th
Mass. Inf. 1st Lieutenant. Resigned April 3, 1862. Son of
Cyrus M. and Nancy (Carpenter) Wheaton. Credited to
Somerset. Died at Providence, R.I., June 26, 1862.
Wheaton, Mark O. Enlisted, 1861, 3d Rhode Island Cavalry.
Son of William and Rachel (Burr) Wheaton. Died at Attle-
borough, June 22, 1896, aged 62.
WiLUAMS, Alexander. Seaman (colored). Died at Rehoboth
almshouse. Buried in Hix cemetery, Oak Swamp.
Men in the United States Navy Credited to Rehoboth
Baker, Eugene. Landsman. Enlisted Jan. 29, 1864, for one
year, on the ''Oceola.*' Discharged Jan. 28, 1865, from "Day-
light."
Beattie, Edward. Enlisted Sept. 26, 1862, for one year, on the
"Sabine." Discharged Sept. 15, 1863, from ship "Brandy-
wine."
BiCKFORD, Henry. Enlisted Sept. 26, 1862, for three years:
"Ossipee," "Monongahela." Discharged from "Elk" Aug.
7, 1865.
BoARDifAN, James. Enlisted Sept. 20, 1862, for one year on
"Sabine." Discharged from "Florida" Sept. 15, 1863.
Brown, Abijah. Enlisted Sept. 10, 1862, for one year on "Lan-
caster," later "Cyane." Discharged June 8, 1864, from re-
ceiving ship "Savannah."
Brown, Francis. Enlisted Oct. 20, 1862, for three years, on "Col-
orado," then "Oneida." Discharged June 30, 1865, from
''Arkansas."
Brown, James E. Enlisted Sept. 5, 1862, for one year on "Sara-
nac," then "Cyane," and "Lancaster." Discharged from
"Savannah."
Brown, John. Enlisted Sept. 22, 1862, for three years, on "Sa-
bine," then "Santa," etc. Discharged Feb. 23, 1865, from
"Macedonia."
Brown, John T. Enlisted Sept. 20, 1862, for one year, on **Sa-
bine." Discharged from "Zouave," Sept. 19, 1863.
Brown, Joseph. Enlisted Sept. 24, 1862, for two years, on "Sa-
bine." Deserted Nov. 30, 1864, from "Wateree."
Brown, Peter. Enlisted Sept. 22, 1862, for three years, on "San
Jacinto." Deserted Feb. 28, 1863.
SOLDIERS AND SAILORS IN THE CIVIL WAR 171
Brown» Peter. Enlisted Sept. 17, 1862, for one year, on **Sa-
bine." Discharged Aug. 23, 1863.
Bridgham, WiiiiiAM H. B. Enlisted Nov. 23, 1864, for one year,
on R. S. "Ohio." Discharged Nov. 23, 1865.
BuRLiNGHAM, WiLLiAM A. Enlisted Oct. 1, 1862, for three years,
on "Colorado," then "Red Rover," etc. Deceased July 15,
1863.
Burns, John. Enlisted Oct. 4, 1862, for three years, on "Sabine,"
then "San Jacinto," etc. Discharged from "Dale" July 20,
1865.
Bters, Alexander. Enlisted Sept. 19, 1862, for two years,
on "Sabine." Discharged from "Brandy wine," Sept. 11, 1863.
Davis, Alexander. Enlisted Sept. 18, 1862, for one year, on
flag-ship "Lancaster." Discharged Sept. 22, 1863.
Hare, John. Enlisted March 30, 1864, for two years, on "Brook-
lyn." Transferred July 31, 1865, to R.S. "North Carolina."
No further record.
Hermen, Jacob A. Enlisted April 8, 1864, for two years. De-
serted from "Cherokee," Oct. 5, 1864.
Rounds, William H. Enlisted Sept. 25, 1862, for one year, on
"Colorado." Discharged Feb. 10, 1864.
CHAPTER VI
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Early in the eighteenth century the first settlers of Rehoboth»
who had come from Weymouth with Samuel Newman in 1643,^
had passed away» and their descendants had spread out from the
**ring of the town/' which is now East Providence Center. Some
of the more enterprising had moved as far east as Palmer's River
and were settled along the borders of that stream. Following
the river up from the Swansea line, we find the Thurbers» the
Smiths, the Burrs, the Palmers, the Bullocks, the Aliens, the
Millers, the Martins and the Millards; then the Lakes, the Pecks,
the Fullers and the Blisses; still farther up, the Blandings, the
Hunts, the Wilmarths, the Carpenters and the Read ways; then
the Wheatons, the Perrys and the Blisses again. These sturdy
and devout men and women, prizing the ministrations of the Sanc-
tuary, found it difficult to attend worship at the Newman Church
so far away, and petitioned the General Court in 1711 to have the
town divided into two separate precincts for the support of the
ministry. This the people in the older part of the town opposed
by a counter petition. Thus arose a sort of distrust and rivalry
between the east and west sections of the town, which increased
until it culminated in 1759 in two distinct precincts; and in 1812,
the year after the ''fighting town meeting," in two separate towns.
In May, 1713, the General Court recommended to Rehoboth
to raise one hundred and twenty pounds for the support of two
ministers, — one at Palmer's River.
In 1717 the f>eople at Palmer's River, by the consent of the
Court, began to build a meeting-house in their part of the town,
which was finished and occupied in 1721.
It stood half a mile north of the Orleans factory, on Lake Street,
on the spot now marked by the remains of the old burying-ground.
The lot includes three acres of land given by the brothers Jathniel
and Samuel Peck and Jonathan Bliss, each giving one acre.
* According to old style the year 1644 began iMarch 25th. By that time the
colony would need to be on the ground to build their homes and fences and pre-
pare the land for tillage.
Unl
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 173
The parent church had been granted two hundred and fifty
pounds for building a new meeting-house; of this they relinquished
fifty pounds to aid the church at Pahuer's River, receiving a
written release from any further payments. They also gave the
facing of the galleries and the pulpit of their old meeting-house.
The Church was organized Nov. 29, 1721, consisting of ten mem-
bers, David Turner (pastor), Elisha May, Thomas Ormsbee
(deacons), Jathniel Peck, Samuel Peck, Benjamin Wilson, Solo-
mon Millard, Samuel Fuller, William Blanding, Joseph Wilson.
The worshippers were to be seated with di.scrimination, according
to dignity, age and liberality toward the building and supporting
of the church.
The business of the two churches and societies was "managed
by the town as the affairs of one church," and the expenses of
both were to be borne by the whole town, an arrangement which,
according to the precinct record, "occasioned great difficulties."
They continued to be thus managed until the year 1759, each
voter paying a yearly town rate and a ministerial rate collected
by constables.
Rev. David Turner, the pastor, was a native of Scituate. He
received one hundred pounds for a settlement. His annual
salary averaged about eighty-five pounds. During his pastorate
of thirty-six years, one hundred and seventy-one persons were
added to the Church.
Mr. Turner graduated from Harvard College in 1718. He
afterwards studied medicine and practised to some extent during
his ministry. He was talented and witty, but eccentric. He had
numerous children and grandchildren, but most of them brought
no honor to the family name. The eldest son, David junior, was
clerk of the precinct from 1761 to 1765, keeping his records in a
neat and legible hand. He married Mary Smith of Rehoboth and
had a large family. The name here was long ago extinct.
Rev. Mr. Turner died Aug. 9, 1757, in his 63d year and was
buried in his church-yard, the oldest burying ground in town,
long since overgrown with bushes. His tombstone bears the
following inscription:
"In Memory of
the Reverend Mr
David Turner,
Pastor of the Second
174 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
Church in Rehoboth,
who departed this
Life on y« 9th Day of
August, A.D. 1757, in
y« 63d year of his Age.
'Watch and Pray because
You know not the hour/ "
Mr. Turner resided about one mile north of his church, in a house
which stood where the deacon Wheeler house now stands on
Wheeler Street, near the old Asa Bliss farm, and where his suc-
cessor, Mr. Rogerson, also lived, and later Capt. John Rogerson»
his son.
In his last illness, Mr. Turner sent for the Rev. Robert Roger*
son, who had preached to his people since he had become dis-
abled through infirmities, and said to him: "Mr. Rogerson, I re-
joice to find that the people are so well pleased with you and your
preaching, but you must remember that, though it is llosanna!*
Ilosanna!' to-day, it will be 'Crucify him!* 'Crucify him!* to-
morrow.**
In the year 1759 this church and congregation was incorporated
by an act of the General Court into a separate society by the name
of "The Second Precinct of Rehoboth,'* thus freeing tlie town
from further financial care.
The first meeting of the precinct was held Feb. 12th of the same
year, when William Bullock was chosen Precinct Clerk, and Dea-
con Thomas Carpenter, Deacon Moulton, Stephen Moulton,
Lieut. Ephraim Hunt, Capt. Nathaniel Bliss and William Bland-
ing. Precinct Committee.
Up to this time one source of friction between the two churches
(east and west) had been in collecting and dividing the revenue
from the ministerial lands designated as the "Pastor's and
Teacher's Rights." This difficulty was removed by selling all
such lands owned in common, and dividing the proceeds equally
between the precincts.* This was effected the following year by
appointing a committee from each precinct, which consisted of
Daniel Carpenter, John Lyon, and John Hunt from the first,
and Thomas Carpenter, Nathaniel Bliss and William Bullock
from the second. There were thirty-one of these lots scattered
through the town, including one lot of 182 acres at Squannakonk
*One "salt meadow" in Bairington was reserved by each precinct by agree-
ment.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 176
swamp which was sold in three parcels. In all there were 674
acres, which netted each precinct about £600 ($3,000).
Feb. 29, 1759, the precinct united with the church in calling
Rev. Robert Rogerson to be their pastor and voted to give him,
in addition to a settlement of seventy pounds, sixty pounds for
his annual salary.
"It was voted by y® inhabitants of sd Precinct that Fifty two
Pounds Lawful money be raised on y® Poles and Estates of y«
inhabitants of y^ sd Precinct this present year and one half of
y« Revenues arising from y® ministerial lands this present year,
with y* three Pounds Lawful money to be paid by y® west Precinct
maks up sixty pounds Lawful mony which is one years Sallery.
Likewise voted to Raise this present year on y« Poles and Es-
tates of y® Inhabitants of sd Precinct Twenty three Pounds Six
shillings and Eight pence Lawful mony being one third part of y^
Settlement agreed upon by y® sd Inhabitants to give the Revrend
Mr. Robert Rogerson."
Mr. Rogerson agreed to take one third part of his salary "in
the produce of the country provided they bring me such articles
as I have occasion for."
In years when the precinct had a larger income than usual they
shared the surplus with their pastor, — an example worthy of
imitation.
March 18, 1773, the precinct "voted that the old meeting-
house should be sold or pulled down provided that a new one
can be built upon the plain near Timothy Headway's." The site
chosen is now known as the Village Cemetery. This was a part
of the common or undivided lands on Readway*s plain, used for
a training field. A portion was surveyed and set off for a
"church, stable and burying-ground" by the Proprietors* Com-
mittee, William Bullock, chairman.
The new house, fifty feet by forty, was built the following sum-
mer, and the pews were sold at public auction Oct. 25, 1773.
They were at first forty in number and brought £462. 10*. Capt.
Thomas Carpenter' was chairman of the building committee, and
furnished the plan. This house, known as the "Yellow Meeting
House," stood to the east of the graveyard, facing the south.*
Back of it on the north and northwest were horse-sheds. It was
without bell or steeple.
' Also designated as Thomas Carpenter 3d, and after his promotion in 1776, as
Colonel Thomas.
'So stated by William Dlanding, now living at 97; also by Dr. D. B. Nichols
in a letter to the writer in 1885.
176 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
The high pulpit with its sounding-board overhead was at the
north end and was reached by a spiral staircase on either side,
with the deacons' seats close down in front, and hidden from the
preacher's view. The church had two rows of windows, one above
the other on each side, and was entered by three double doors,
east, south, and west.^ The pews were square. They were sur-
mounted by a railing held in place by turned spokes four to six
inches in length. The gallery extended across the front or south
end and along the two sides. In the front gallery were the singers'
seats after 1818, and back of them, high up in either corner, were
seats for the negroes, the men occupying the southwest comer and
the women the southeast. There were four rows of pews extending
the whole length of the room and a short row each side of the
pulpit. There were three aisles, one in the centre and one on each
side half-way between the centre and the walls. Stoves were not
installed until the winter of 1819, the women bringing hot stones
or bricks, or in some cases foot-stoves supplied with hot coab.
The whole cost of building the meeting-house was £622. 17#., or
$3,114.
In 1776 a valuable legacy, worth perhaps $10,000, was be-
queathed to the precinct by Lieut. Ephraim Hunt, by means of
which a considerable part of the minister's salary has been paid
ever since.
The part of Mr. Hunt's will relating to this legacy reads as fol-
lows:
"I do hereby give, alienate and devote all the said home build-
ings, homestead lands & in fine all y^ residue, remainder & re-
mainders of my estate not disposed off, as afTorsaid in particular
I give & devote towards y^ support & maintaining of the publick
worship of God to be forever hereafter improved by the in-
habitants of the Second Precinct of the said Town of Rehoboth
that do & shall hereafter attend the publick worship of God
in the church at Palmers River (so called) whereof the Revd.
Robert Rogerson is now the pastor & his successors like wise y^
same, moreover it is my will & pleasure that the said build-
ings & lands so given & devoted be annually leased out by said
Prescincts committe that shall or may be chosen to lett out said
Prescincts money as by Act of General Court enjoyned and that the
yearly income & rents of said houseing & lands shall from year to
year forever hereafter be paid by said committe to the minister of
the church at Palmers River afforsaid (he being of the Presbiterian
*Rev. D. B. Nichok D.D.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 177
or Congregational persuasion) : towards his support over & above
y® interest of the afTorsaid sum of one thousand pounds. And I
do also hereby nominate, constitute & appoint my beloved wife
Rachel & my trusty friend Thomas Carpenter y^ 3rd of that name
in Rehoboth aflTorsaid (gentleman) to be my lawful! executors in
& to this my last will and testament.
"In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this
21st day of February A. D. 1774. And in the fourteenth year of
his Majistyes Reign George y« 3d King &c.
Ephraim Hunt (Seal)"
In the period between 1780 and 1790 the minister's salary was
allowed to fall behind hundreds of dollars. In 1783 the Society
paid Mr. Rogerson for three years, or up to March, 1782, £57. 6$.
for each of the three years. The shortage was due in large part
to the depreciation of the paper currency which led the precinct
in 1787 to petition the General Court for a lottery. In 1782, out
of £1019 belonging to the Society funds, only £592 remained
good.
Falling in with the scarcity of "lawful money*' was the tendency
of the people to rely on the Hunt legacy to meet current expenses,
carelessly hoping that the income even from the depreciated
fund would satisfy the minister's needs. At length the limit
of forbearance was reached, and he pressed for his dues. The
final terms of settlement are explained in the following interesting
letter of Mr. Rogerson to the precinct:
"December 14, 1789.
"Gentlemen :
"Having seriously further considered the circumstances of the
parish, I have finally concluded that on consideration of paying
the arrears due to me of my salary in the following manner, viz:
one hundred dollars each succeeding year until the whole is paid,
without any interest, one half of the payments to be in money
and the other half in stock and farm produce, and also that I am
paid annually sixty-six pounds to be paid in the spring of each
year, half in Lawful Money and half in stock and farm produce
for my future salary and the rent of the ministerial farm and also
that I have brought to my door in the fall of each year for the
future twelve cords of good wood; on complying with these con-
ditions, I entirely relinquish my right in all former agreements.
Robert Rogerson."
By levying a tax on "the poles and estates" of the sixty-eight
willing members of the Society the sum of $667 was raised to-
12
178 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
ward the arrears in the salary, and the matter was squared in
March, 1790.
As the population of the precinct increased, the numbers also
increased of those who were not Congregationalists, and the pre-
cinct became unwieldy. There were two Baptist churches in
South Rehoboth, and besides, a number of families in that part
of the town were identified with the First Baptist Church in Swan-
sea. Moreover, the Congregationalists had property of their own,
mainly the Hunt legacy, in which the precinct as such had no
special interest. For these reasons the Congregationalists, eighty-
four in number, petitioned the General Court to repeal the pre-
cinct act and incorporate them under the name of "The Catholic
Congregational Church and Society in the Second Precinct in
Rehoboth." This act was passed in 1792. The word "Catholic"
has since been stricken out of the title.
Mr. Rogerson continued to be pastor of this people until his
death, March 20, 1799, a period of forty years. He was of a
respectable English family, bom at Portsmouth, England, and
was educated at St. Paul's School, London. He came to America
at the age of nineteen as an assistant to the Collector of revenue
in Virginia, serving in this capacity one year.
After teaching school several years and studying divinity mean-
while, he took his degree of M. A. at Harvard in 1765. He
preached one year at Brookline, and one year at the First Church
in Rehoboth, now East Providence, R.I. While there he mar-
ried a daughter of Col. Thomas Bowen, then Mrs. Betsey Sweet,
a young widow with one child. He was ordained over "The
Palmer's River Church," July 2, 1769.
He had three sons and three daughters. The sons were Robert,
an honored physician in Boston; Thomas, a planter in Virginia;
and Capt. John Rogerson, who resided on his father's estate,
formerly the home of Rev. David Turner, till his death in 1836.
Mr. Rogerson was a man of learning and piety. His long
ministry was quiet and conservative, with but tliirty-six reported
additions to the church.
His remains lie buried in the older part of the Village Cemetery.
On his tombstone of blue slate is this inscription :
"In Memory of
The Revd. Robert Rogerson,
who descended from a respectable
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 179
Family in Great Britain
Renouncing the Honors & Emoluments
of this world, he devoted himself to the
Christian Ministry, from a Conviction
of its truth & importance.
In a pious, exemplary, & faithful discharge
of that office he continued near 40 years.
And in the hope
of a blessed immortality
He departed this life in the 78th year
of his Age, March 20th, 1799."
Mr. Rogerson was followed by Rev. Otis Thompson, who was
ordained pastor of this church Sept. 24, 1800, and continued in
its service twenty-five years. He was the son of Nathaniel Thomp-
son and was born at Middleborough, Mass., Sept. 14, 1776, and
graduated at Brown University in 1798, where he remained two
years as tutor. During this period he applied himself to the
study of theology. After preaching a year as candidate, he was
unanimously called by the Church and Society and entered upon
his pastorate under the most favorable conditions. He had a
"hundred pounds settlement" and a salary of three hundred and
fifty dollars, which in 1816 was increased to five hundred dollars.
The community was at once awakened in religious matters and
forty persons were added to the Church the first year of his min-
istry. For more than twenty years nothing occurred to interrupt
the harmonious relations of pastor and people. Mr. Thompson's
century sermon, preached in 1821, states that the number of mem-
bers of the Church at that time was fifty-six, and that seventy-
seven had been enrolled during his twenty-one years of service;
the total enrollment for the century being three hundred and three.
Mr. Thompson was a man of scholarly habits and a writer of
ability. He printed numerous funeral and ordination sermons
and edited the "Hopkinsian Magazine" for a number of years,
making four octavo volumes.
He superintended the theological studies of fifteen students.
Among these may be mentioned the brothers Moses Thacher and
Tyler Thacher, grandsons of Rev. Peter Thacher, first pastor of the
Second Congregational Church in Attleborough. Tyler Thacher
married Mr. Thompson's daughter, Fidelia.
Also Elam Smalley, Dr. Emmons's successor in Franklin;
Jason Chamberlain, who became a professor in Vermont Univer-
180 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
sity; Josephus Wheaton and Augustus B. Reed» both natives of
Rehoboth; and Alvan Cobb.
Mr. Thompson was "an acute metaphysical thinker," rigid
and uncompromising in his opinions, with an imperious will which
would brook no opposition. He would rule or ruin.
In 1825 a serious difficulty arose which greatly disturbed the
harmony of the Church and Society and kept them in a bitter
wrangle with the pastor and his friends for months and years.
It grew out of a breach of promise suit brought by Mr. Thompson
against a gentleman belonging to one of the foremost families of the
Church. At first the people took sides, some for and others
against the pastor, and all attempts to reconcile the parties were
in vain. Before long, however, Mr. Thompson's arbitrary pro-
ceedings alienated nearly all the active members of the Church
and Society. To carry his points he depended upon non-residents
and minors, and the few members he had rushed into the Church
for the occasion.
Many pages of the records are given to this controversy, and a
full account is contained in a pamphlet of thirty pages published
by the Church in 1826, entitled "A Narrative of the Difficulties
in which the Church has been involved and a just Statement of
their Proceedings Concerning them.'*
From a careful study of the documents we gather the following
facts: (1), There was antagonism between Reverend Otis Thomp*
son and Elijah A. Reed, a prominent member of his Church.
(2), A paper was drawn up by the Church urging both parties
to drop the whole matter and "let good feeling and brotherly
love continue." This paper Mr. Thompson alone refused to sign,
and so made a bad matter worse.
To ward off a course of discipline against himself he began
such a course against Mr. Reed.
He showed his analytical keenness in drawing up five articles
with definite specifications under each: Article I, Slander. Article
II, Falsehood. Article III, Neglect of Duty. Article IV, Un-
christian Conduct. Article V, Covetous Practices.
In a Church trial lasting several months, these articles were
taken up seriatim with witnesses and affidavits on each separate
count.
To illustrate the trivial nature of most of these counts, take
several under Article V, Covetous Practices:
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 181
1. In demanding and receiving of Deacon Ezra Perry an un-
reasonable sum for an injury done to his chaise.
2. In demanding an unreasonable sum of the pastor for a ton
of hay.
3. In taking an unreasonable sum of Seth Follet for a second-
hand axe.
4. In taking soil from a piece of common land which he had
no right to take, etc.
The result of the trial was that Mr. Thompson excommunicated
Mr. Reed and delivered him "over to Satan."
He then proceeded to excommunicate Brother Samuel Smith
and Dr. James Bliss, (1) for neglecting family worship. (2) for
joining in "irregular and improper measures for the dismission
of the pastor."
The progress of events is indicated in the following statements: —
August 15, 1825. At a meeting of the Society a motion to dis-
miss Rev. Otis Thompson was lost thirty to twenty-nine.
Sepitember 9. A vote for his dismissal was carried.
October 11. An ex-parie Council met and sent a request to
Mr. Thompson to unite with the Society in calling a mutual
council.
October 27. Mr. Thompson having refused to join in calling
a mutual council, the following motion was made in the Society:
"Whereas we consider the usefulness of the Rev. Otis Thompson
as a minister of the Gospel very much at an end in this place on
account of his conduct, and of consequence that the peace, union
and well-being of this Society require it.
"I therefore move that he be dismissed from his ministerial
relation to us."
Twenty-seven voted for the motion and none against it.
November 1. A second ecclesiastical council (ex-parte) met
and recommended the dissolution of the pastoral relation.
November 23. At a meeting of the Church, Rev. Thomas
Williams, moderator, strong resolutions condemning Mr. Thomp-
son were passed. "The duty which we owe to God and this Church
requires us to dismiss him."
To a committee urging a nnitual council, Mr. Thompson re-
plied: "Neither the body which you represent nor the council
that dismissed me are worthy of my notice."
At tliis meeting the three "excommunicated" brethren were de-
182 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
clared to be members in good standing. In truth they were
brethren highly respected, and later Elijah A. Reed was chosen
deacon.
November 29, a third ex-parte council met. The following
churches were represented by pastor and delegate: Berkeley,
Providence (Beneficent), Attleborougli (First), and Bristol. In
this council a communication was read from Mr. Thompson.
After reviewing the conditions, the council voted unanimously to
approve the vote of the Church, dismissing Mr. Thompson.
""There are in our view special reasons for the dismission of the
Rev. Otis Thompson founded on his impropriety of conduct:
first, his unjustifiable and oppressive manner of conducting church
discipline, or lording it over God*s heritage. (2) The consequent
alienation of a large |M>rtion of the Church and Society from him.
(3) His repeated refusal of propositions for a mutual council,
and, (4) That his usefulness in this place is very greatly dimin-
ished if not entirely destroyed.
Thomas Androb, Moderator.
Joel Mann, Scribe,'*
November 30. Voted that the salary of the Rev. Otis Thompson
shall be discontinued from and after this day, he having been dis-
missed from his ministerial and pastoral connection with this
Society.
Voted to choose a committee of five to take charge of and shut
up the meeting-house.
1826, November 14. Christopher Carpenter, Jr., was chosen
agent to defend the suit brought against the Society by Rev.
Otis Thompson for his salary.
During this year not less than twenty-seven members of the
Society, utterly wearied with the strife, requested to have their
names dropped; while the Church became weak and inactive.
Even Asahel Bliss and his wife left and joined the Church in Attle-
borougli, although they came back in Deceml)er of that year (1826),
and the following March he was a second time chosen deacon.
1827, July 24. The fourth of a series of ecclesiastical ex-parte
councils called by the Catholic Congregational Church and So-
ciety met at the house of Capt. Stephen Car|)enter. The churches
represented were: Berkeley, Norton, Attleborough First, See-
konk and Providence. Charges were presented reflecting severely
upon the teaching and conduct of Mr. Thompson. In fact the
Church and Society turned the tables on him and formulated a
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 183
number of distinct charges against him which were in part as
follows: —
1. That of late years he had propagated theological principles
subversive of morality and godliness, — e. g., that God by an im-
mediate creating power produces all the most vile and bloody
crimes and abominations in the hearts of the wicked. That there
can be no real piety and goodness in a man unless he is willing to
be damned, etc.
2. That by his imprudent and uncandid acts of ministerial
conduct he has subjected himself generally to the loss of the fellow-
ship of other churches and pastors to the detriment of this Church
and Society.
3. That he has subjected certain members of the Society to
the loss of Christian character and privilege merely for exercising
their right to vote in said Society. Under this charge are five
counts.
4. That the said Thompson has been guilty of dishonest prac-
tices toward said Society, especially in prosecuting an action
against the Society to recover the part of the Hunt legacy which
he had relinquished when he agreed upon a stipulated salary.
5. That he had wilfully aggravated difficulties between him-
self and members of his Church and Society and "has been guilty
of gross indecency, falsehood and immorality in repeatedly charg-
ing said persons with want of veracity and other crimes." Under
this charge are seven counts.
One copy of these charges was given to Mr. Thompson and
one to the council. A protest from Mr. Thompson was read.
The council voted that "several of the charges and specifications
have been substantiated and that they can entertain no hope
that his ministry will be of any further use to this Congregational
Society; They therefore advise to the dissolution of his ministerial
connection with them.
Pitt Clark (Norton), Moderator.
Jambs O. Barney (Seekonk), Scribe,**
From the "Narrative of Difficulties" we learn incidentally that
Mr. Thompson sometime during the trouble called a council to
suit himself without consulting the Church and Society, but we
can find no record of its date or doings.
Knowing that he was settled for life, he had small regard for
councils. When the Church was closed against him he continued
184 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
to hold services, one year at Wheaton Hall, then at his home or
in the "Old Red*' school-house near by (district No. 7), and the
Catholic Congregational Church and Society were obliged to pay
his salary.
Neither by law nor by persuasion could tliey move him to a
settlement. This condition of strife and bitterness continued
year after year until finally by a cash payment of $1,000 he agreed
to relinquish all claims upon the Society. And yet, according to
Bliss, who was a member of the Church, and whose parents re-
sided in Rehoboth at the time, attempts were afterwards made by
Mr. Thompson and his friends, but without success, *'to revive
the old precinct, and wrest from the Church and Society a part
or the whole of the funds which are now in their possession." He
was dismissed from his pastorate October 30, 1832, after seven
years of strife and bitterness, perhaps unparalleled in the church-
annals of New England.
We would like to lie fair to this keen and learned minister,
and we regret that we have no writing which gives his point of view
in the sad controversy which did great harm and nearly wrecked a
church. That he was headstrong and unyielding no one can doubt.
''He is of one mind, who can turn him?*'
For several terms he taught a select school at his home, to the
great advantage of the young people who attended. We have
heard men like William Henry Bowcn and his brother (icorge, and
John C. Marvel, si)eak highly of the instruction they received in
his school.
Mr. Thompson's first wife was Miss Rachel Chandler of Ply nip-
ton, Mass., who died Sept. 6, 1827, aged forty-seven, b}' whom he
had four sons and five daughters.
llis second wife was Miss Charlotte Fales of Bristol, R.I., to
whom he was married Sept. 10, 1828. She died Dec. 12, 1848.
Mr. Thompson continued to reside in Rehoboth until 1840.
Thence he went to IJtchfield, N.Y., and preached there until
1850. In May of that year he married Miss Polly Shaw of North
Abington, Mass., where he resided until his death, which occurred
June 26, 1859, at the age of eighty-two. His widow died Feb. 3,
1874.
From the receipt of the Hunt legacy in 1776 to the settlement
of Rev. Mr. Vernon in 1826 the Church and Society had a yearly
income amounting to about $600. A fund of $5,000 was repre-
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 185
scntcd by numerous individual notes Ijcaring interest. The an-
nual sale of wood, timber and hoop-poles brought, on an average*
about $250. In 1797 the amount was $596. These products
were frequently sold at "vandues" where rum was furnished: e. g.,
on page 310 of the Precinct record is this item: "Paid Jonathan
Wheaton, Jr., rum for vandue, $2.74. (Nov. 28, 1819.) The
ministerial farm rented for $100 a year and upwards. The farm-
house was built in 1808 for $200. In recent years the Society's
annual income from farm and funds has been about $350.
It is worthy of note that Capt. Shubael Goflf and "Aunt Sally,"
his wife, lived on this farm for many years, where they brought
up fifteen hardy children, whose numerous descendants enjoy
yearly a great family clam-bake in town.
Only in emergencies was it necessary to make any assessment
on the members of the Society, as in the case of the depreciated
currency or the one hundred pounds settlement paid the minister
in the year 1800. But the forced payments to Mr. Thompson
after the trouble, in addition to the new minister's salary, drew
heavily upon the funds in hand.
The successor of Mr. Thompson was Rev. Thomas Vernon, a
native of Newport, R.I., and son of Samuel Vernon. He was born
Dec. 20, 1797. He graduated at Brown University in 1816 and
studied theology at Andover Seminary. He was ordained over
this churcli Sept. 13, 1826. He found the church prostrate and
torn with dissensions: he left it after eleven years of faithful ser-
vice, in a large measure healed and united. Only a man of ex-
cellent spirit could have done this. He was sound in judgment
and judicious in management. He greatly endeared himself to
all the people. During his ministry the Simday-School was in-
augurated and a considerable number joined the church. Elijah
A. Reed was chosen deacon in 1832, and Sylvester Allen in 1836.
Mr. Vernon resided in the Village, in Mrs. Otis Goflf's chambers
opposite the church.
Mr. Vernon having resigned on account of inadequate support,
a mutual ecclesiastical council convened at the house of James
Islanding, Esq., Dec. 5, 1836, to act upon his resignation. The
churches represented were: Bristol, Rev. Thomas Shepherd, Pas-
tor; Fall River, Rev. Orin Fowler; Pawtucket, Rev. Constan-
tine Blodgett; Dighton, Rev. Jonathan King; Taunton (Trini-
tarian), Rev. Erastus Maltby; and Seekonk, Deacon William
186 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
Ellis, delegate. The Council came unanimously to the following
result:
"Considering the almost unexampled state of harmony and cor-
diality that has subsisted between Mr. Vernon and his people,
and still continues, we recommend to Mr. Vernon to remam with
his united Church and Society.
'The Council are aware that the salary paid Mr. Vernon is
altogether inadequate to the necessary wants of his family; they
therefore recommend to the Church and Society to provide im-
mediately a parsonage suitable for the use of their minister, and
that Mr. Vernon be granted the use of said parsonage free of ex-
pense so long as he shall be their minister."
This wise suggestion of the Council, the people neglected to
heed. It is a mistake which churches too often make. They are
loth to adequately sustain the preaching of the Gospel. Such a
penny-wise and pound-foolish policy which permits the golden
opportunity to pass suggests the saying, "The men of this world
are wiser in their generation than the children of light.'*
Mr. Vernon, seeing no prospect of improved conditions, again
resigned and was dismissed four months later by the same Churches
in Council, April 12, 1837. The building of the parsonage was
delayed until twelve years later.
As Mr. Vernon had ministered to this people for six months
before his ordination, the entire period of his labors among them
was eleven years.
In May, 1831, he had married Miss Adelaide A. Winthrop of
Bristol, R.I. They had six children, one of whom, John W. Ver-
non, was for many years an officer in the Merchants' National
Bank, Providence, R.I.
Owing to a severe bronchial affection, Mr. Vernon was com-
pelled to give up the ministry, and engaged in the practice of
medicine at Perth Aniboy, N.J., and other places. He died at
Providence, R.I., May 9, 1876, of acute bronchitis, in his seventy-
ninth year, and was buried in the old family ground at Newport,
R.I.
The successor of Mr. Vernon, and the fifth pastor of this church,
was the Rev. John Chester Paine, who was ordained over the
church June 6, 1838, by a council representing ten churches.
The ordination sermon was preached by his brother. Rev. Wil-
liam P. Paine, D.D., of Holden. On the first day of September
following, the Society passed a vote to build a new meeting-house.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 187
A minority, however, were strongly opposed to this movement.
The building committee consisted of Abiah Bliss, Jr., William
K. Bullock, John R. Rogerson, and Cyrus M. Wheaton. It was
decided to locate the new house in the Village on the lot where
Jonathan Wheaton*s barn stood. Strong objection was made to
placing the church in a "barn-yard." Mr. Wheaton gave the small
plot which belonged to him, and the GofT brothers, Darius and
Nelson, gave the remainder. The church edifice was erected and
dedicated the following year, 1839. It is sixty feet long by forty
wide, and cost three thousand eight hundred dollars. Its seating
capacity is about three hundred and twenty.
After the dedication of the new house, the disaffected members
of the Church and the Society joined with other families in town,
who were Baptists in belief, in holding a series of religious meet-
ings at Lewis's tavern. This resulted in the formation of the
Union Baptist Church.
The **old yellow meeting-house,*' which had stood on the Vil-
lage Cemetery lot for sixty-six years, was finally sold to Mr. Otis
Goff, who moved the materials home, and reconstructed them into
a barn, which is now standing.
Mr. Paine was an excellent preacher, and a very useful man in
the community. He was born at Ashfield, Mass., Jan. 28, 1806.
He was the seventh generation in direct line from Stephen Paine,
one of the early settlers of Rehoboth. He was educated at Am-
herst and Princeton Colleges, and received the degree of A.M.
from the latter in 1843. He graduated from the theological sem-
inary at East Windsor, Conn., in 1836. He was married April,
1839, to Miss Eliza Folger, of Nantucket. He was dismissed from
this church March 23, 1847, having served the people faithfully
for nine years. After leaving Rehoboth he preached at Gardner,
Sandwich, Dracut, and Groveland, Mass. In the places where
he was settled he was chairman of the school committee many
years. He died at Groveland of typhoid pneumonia, March 10,
1880, in his seventy-fifth year. His son, Charles F. Paine, was a
lawyer in Boston, and his daughter, Harriet E. Paine, was pre-
ceptress of Oread Female Seminary at Worcester, Mass.
Mr. Paine was succeeded by Rev. Charles P. Grosvenor, who
was acting pastor of this church from September, 1847, to Septem-
ber, 1856, — just nine years. Mr. Grosvenor was born Aug. 12,
1804, at Pomfret, Conn.; graduated at Yale College in 1827;
:w laaiBiT^s
• r
. •
11.- ?'\m:
. ■*■
II
Ji ly^ . "lit* ifi1ii*"m: iw-^Nk^as-
:i T. 7i
B- k -rr*--" ii n :Tr ^iiir^*! ix :?c Tail «v Ts^L.
ao* ft XiiiT-*!. xSf. :\r*- -in: r*?*'*^ ii> uxiil*^ ttiu. tut
T— 1. ••
:*
•«..t
"- 1- ■•; ••r»'" n.iiT 'n ir^*: r^--ni ."t^ iinr Jur ^^> iC *
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 189
He resided in Providence, R.I., but came to Rehoboth on the
Sabbath and occasionally on other days and held neighborhood
prayer-meetings among the people. In this way the church was
kept awake and several persons were hopefully converted. He
was born at Wilton, N.Y., March 30, 1813; graduated at Union
College in 1844, and at Andover Theological Seminary in 1847;
was married to Miss Sophia S. Knight of Providence, Aug. 1,
1849; died Dec. 15, 1887.
The next acting pastor was Rev. Alexander C. Childs, from
Jan. 1, 1860, to April 1, 1862. He was born at Nantucket, Aug.
31, 1823; graduated at Yale College in 1845, and Union Theo-
logical Seminary in 1849; married Miss Eunice H. Barney of
Nantucket, Aug. 17, 1857. He supplied churches for brief pe-
riods in New Hampshire and Vermont as well as in Massachusetts.
He died at Worcester, Mass., April 13, 1896.
After Mr. Childs, Rev. S. Y. Lum was acting pastor for two
years, beginning in July, 1862. He was born at New Providence,
N.J., May 6, 1821, studied at Oberlin College and graduated at
Union Theological Seminary in 1848. He was ordained at Mid-
dletown, N.Y., Jan. 13, 1852.
Mr. Lum was Home Missionary in Kansas from 1854 to 1861,
during the "border ruffian war.'* After leaving Rehoboth he was
superintendent of the American Bible Society at Lawrence, Kan-
sas, and later preached in Connecticut and New York. He died
at Rutherford. N.J., Oct. 1, 1895.
Rev. Francis II. Boynton was ordained pastor of this church
Oct. 20, 1864, and continued his work here until Aug. 30, 1867.
During his pastorate the church was greatly revived and more
than fifty persons were added to its membership.
Mr. Boynton was born in Troy, N.Y., March 14, 1839; grad-
uated at Amherst College in 1861, and at Andover Theological
Seminary in 1864; married Miss Emily A. Clark of Amherst,
Mass., May 24, 1866. Four children were born to them. He was
a man of scholarly habits with a fine spirit touched to fine issues.
After leaving Rehoboth he traveled abroad, visiting Palestine,
Egypt, and other countries. He preached at Assonet, New Marl-
borough, Raynham, and Essex, Mass., and at Rye, N.H., and
later at other places in Massachusetts. He died at Florence,
Mass., in 1910.
Mr. Boynton was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Henry Johnson*
190 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
who was acting pastor from October, 1868, to October, 1869. He
was bom March 24, 1824, at Portland, Me.; studied and taught
at the Mission Institute, Quincy, III., under the charge of the
Rev. David Nelson; was ordained at La Harpe, III., in April,
1853, and was married the following December to Miss Martha
A. Brooks of Dalton, N.H. They had two children.
The next acting pastor was Rev. Henry D. Woodworth, from
December, 1869, to October, 1872; bom in Lebanon, Conn.,
Feb. 18, 1826; graduated at Amherst College in 1855, and An-
dover Theological Seminary in 1860; ordained at East Bridge-
water in September of the same year; married Aug. 14, 1855,
Miss Sarah E. Carkin of Brookfield, Mass. After leaving Reho-
both, was in the jewelry business in Cambridge. Died June 27,
1891.
Rev. Isaac R. Prior succeeded Mr. Woodworth as acting pastor
from July 13, 1873, to October, 1877; bom in Ohio, July 22,
1840; graduated at Adrian College, Mich., in 1863; at the Uni-
versity of Law at Albany, N.Y., in 1865; and at Union Theo-
logical Seminary in 1870. He was married Sept. 29, 1874, to Miss
Ruth E. Manton of Providence, R.I. They had two children.
He preached for brief periods at numerous places, in Massa-
chusetts, Rhode Island, Florida, and South Dakota, where he
died at Redfield, March 3, 1899.
Mr. Prior's successor was Rev. George Henry Tilton, who was
born in Nashua, N.H., Jan. 31, 1845. He was the son of William
Wells and Sarah Ann (Morrill) Tilton, descended through his
father from the Tiltons of New Hampshire, for whom the town
of Tilton was named; and through his mother from the Morrills
and Aliens of Amesbury and Salisbury, Mass. His great-great-
grandfather was Col. Henry Morrill of Revolutionary fame. Sir
Hugh Morrill was presented with the Morrill coat of arms in the
fifteenth year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth. His ancestor
Capt. Jacob Allen was killed in the battle of Saratoga, Sept. 19,
1777. The Tilton family traces its ancestry back to Everard
(Sir) Ix)rd of Tilton and Drystoke, ancestor of Sir Kenelni Digby,
Knight, styled "The ornament of England.*' The town of Tilton
in England was in existence prior to the time of William the Con-
queror. The original family was Digby de Tilton, but the **Digby"
was dropped, becoming a branch name, but both use the Digby
coat of arms. John Tilton came to Lynn in 1642, and a brother
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 191
William in 1645, and are spoken of as "educated." One branch
of the family settled in New Hampshire.
Mr. Tilton fitted for college at Williston Seminary, Easthamp-
ton, Mass., graduating with the class of 1866, and at Amherst
College with the class of 1870 (Phi Beta Kappa), receiving the
degree of A.M. in 1873. Also graduated at Andover Theological
Seminary, 1873, and was ordained to the Congregational ministry
at Hopkinton, N.H., June 4, 1873.
He was married June 6, 1876, to Ella Minerva Mann of Attle-
borough Falls, Mass. They have had three children. Mr. Tilton
was pastor at Attleborough Falls, 1874-5 (organizing the Central
Church and building its meeting-house) ; at Wolfeborough, N.H.»
1876-7; at Rehoboth, Mass., 1877-1891; at Lancaster, N.H.,
1891-1896; and at North Woburn, Mass., 1896-1915. (Dis-
missed June 22d.)
At Rehoboth he was chairman of the School Committee m
1885-6, and founder of the Rehoboth Antiquarian Society, which
was organized March 5, 1884.
In 1883 Mr. Tilton wrote the "History of the Churches of Re-
hoboth," published in the "History of Bristol County." In 1900»
he furnished for the History of Lancaster, N.H., a sketch of the
Congregational Church of that place, and a monograph of the
Native Plants and Trees. In 1901 he published a "Memorial of
Marshall Ilenshaw, LL.D."
During Mr. Tilton's pastorate of fourteen years in Rehoboth,
the Church enjoyed a large measure of prosperity. For this whole
period it paid the largest salary in its history, and gave liberally
for benevolent objects. At that time the entire population of
the town, with very few exceptions, was of pure New England
stock, and most of the people were in the habit of attending church
on the Sabbath. The religious life of the church was quickened
from time to time by special services. It was the pastor's custom
to preach about once a month at the Willis School-house, the
Orleans Chapel and the Almshouse, the latter in charge of Mr.
and Mrs. Frank E. Luther.
Mr. Tilton was dismissed from this church Nov. 17, 1891, to
accept a call from the Congregational Church in Lancaster, N.H.
In the year 1887, a silver cup which Rev. Otis Thompson had
taken away with him in 1840, was restored to the church by Mr.
192 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
M. T. Bennett of Brbtol, R.I., a relative of the second Mrs.
Thompson. This valuable relic was inscribed thus: —
•*The gift of Capt. Sam'l Peck to y« second Church
of Christ in Rehoboth, 1736."
Mr. Tilton was succeeded by Rev. Cyrus D. Harp, who began
his work here as acting pastor, March 13, 1892, and continued
till Aug. 28, 1895. Mr. Harp was born at Benevola, Md., Feb. 8,
1858. He was the son of Rev. Joshua Harp and Magdalene Wolfe.
He prepared for college at Lebanon Institute, Lebanon, Pa.; did
both undergraduate and graduate work at Harvard, where he re-
ceived the degree of A.B. He graduated at Yale Theological
Seminary in 1885.
His first regular pastorate was at Columbia, Pa., where he built
a church, and left an increased membership of over one hundred
and fifty. He preached at Houlton, Me., in 1899, and later at
Duxbury, Mass.
His ministry at Rehoboth was signalized by his marriage to
Miss Eleanor H. Whiteside of Washington, D.C. Two children
were born to them, Katharine, Oct. 5, 1893, and Benjamin H.,
Nov. 12, 1894.
After resigning his pastorate here, Mr. Harp entered commercial
lines. He built himself a house at Cranston, R.I., l)ecame pastor
of the Ilughesdale Congregational Church, while at the same time
serving as an agent in the employ of the Travelers' Insurance
Company of Hartford, Conn.
Rev. Charles B. W^athen began his labors here June 1, 1896.
During his ministry the church was thoroughly renovated and
l)eautified. This was done in 1906, at a cost of more than $2,000,
not including the memorial windows. Half of this sum was con-
tributed by Leonard C. Bliss of Boston. Hon. Cornelius N. Bliss
of New York gave liberally, and Frank N. Bliss of Pawtucket,
R.I., made a contribution. The Ladies* Home Missionary Society
gave $600, — the proceeds of the Colonial Fair held the winter be-
fore. The furnishings were supplied as follows: the carpets for
the church were given by Mr. Lyman B. Goff, and the cushions
for the seats by Mr. Geo. S. Baker and Miss Emma M. Baker; a
donation was also received from Mr. Frederic W. Bliss. Of the
beautiful memorial windows, one was given by Cornelius N. Bliss,
to perpetuate the memory of his grandfather, Dea. Asaliel Bliss,
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 193
who was an officer of the church for more than fifty years; two
were given by Mr. L. C. Bliss; one by Darius L. and Lyman B.
Goff and their sister, Mrs. Sarah Steele. The children of Reuben
Bowen gave one; and the children of Tamerline Horton, one.
The church was reopened by appropriate exercises, Dec. 5, 1906.
In the record we read: "We reopened this church, free from debt,
and as a church and people are profoundly grateful to the friends
through whose interest and liberality this worjk has been accom-
plished." It should be mentioned also, that on March 1, 1907,
Mrs. Clara I. Hubbard, daughter of the late Henry Reed and De-
light Carpenter Reed, of Taunton, gave a solid mahogany table
and chairs to furnish the social corner of the church. Also, during
Mr. Wathen's pastorate the choir was brought down from the
loft in the rear to its present place near the pulpit. In 1900
Paschal Allen left the church a legacy of $1,500.
Mr. Wathen was born in Ilichibucto, New Brunswick, Jan. 1,
1852. He married Mary P. Kennedy of Keswick, N.B., Sept.
17, 1876. They have one son. Mr. Wathen taught four years in
the grammar and high schools at St. Stephen, N.B. Graduated
at Bangor Theological Seminary, June, 1883. Preached at Orono,
Me., from 1883 to 1888; Chelmsford, Ma.ss., 1888-90; at Man-
chester, N.H., 1890-96; Rehoboth, Mass., 1896-1908; Hookset,
N.H., 1908-10; since, at South Dartmouth, Mass. He was dis-
missed from his charge in Rehoboth, July 12, 1908.
On Jan. 3, 1909, Hon. Edmund E. Peck of New York sent the
church a beautifully carved chair designed by himself and given
in memory of his ancestors who had resided in Rehoboth. On
the back is a plate inscribed as follows: —
"In memory of my ancestors among whom were
Joseph Peck, born in England, 1587, settled in Re-
hoboth; Ebenezer Peck, who founded the forge priv-
ilege near Great Meadow Hill, born 1697; my grand-
father, Edmund I. Peck, born on the Forge Privilege,
1798; and my father, Caleb S. Peck, born in Rehoboth,
1825.
"Designed and made by Edmund E. Peck, Donor,
1908."
Mr. Wathen was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Woodbury Strout,
who came from Kingston, N.H., and was installed over the church
at Rehoboth, June 9, 1909. The following year, through his
13
194
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
efforts, a new pipe-organ was purchased for the church, costing
$2,000; of this amount about $1,200 was raised in the town.
A new pulpit was presented to the church by Miss Emma M.
Baker.
Mr. Strout was bom in Milbridge, Me., July 7, 1852; was a
teacher in that state for four years; preached two years at East
Machias, Me.; graduated from Bangor Seminary in 1885; was
ordained June 29, 1886; held pastorates at Thomaston, Me.,
1885-1893; at Cummington and West Cummington, Mass., 1894-
1899; at Kingston, N.H., 1899-1908; at Rehoboth, 1909-1915
(Dec. 31); since at Little Compton, R.I.
Mr Strout married Ella E. Sprague of Milbridge, Me., May 1,
1876. They have two children. Mr. Strout's successor was Rev.
Henry E. Oxnard, who began his work here Oct. 1, 1916.
Deacons of the Congregational Church
Name
Elisha May,
Thomas Ormsbee,
John Wilmarth,
Abiah Carpenter,
Joshua Smith,
Thomas Carpenter,
Stephen Moulton,
Ephraim Bliss,
Joshua Smith,
Daniel Bliss,
John Brown,
Calvin Jacobs,
Asahel Bliss,
Chace Moulton,
Ezra Perry,
Elijah A. Reed
Eleazer A. Brown,
Elisha A. King,
Josephus B. Smith,
Asaph Carpenter,
Gustavus A. Reed,
William H. Luther,
David Taylor,
Francis A. Bliss,
Johnstone Black
Almon A. Reed,
Enoch A. Carpenter,
Charles S. Bliss,
Date Choeen
1721.
1721.
1731.
1738.
1744.
1744.
1750 to 1772.
1762 to 1771.
1762.
Between 1762 and 1791.
1791.
1801.
1808. Re-elected in 1827.
1811 to 1813.
1814 to 1850.
1832 to 1848.
1842 to 1889.
1842 to 1848.
1851 to 1857.
1858 to 1863.
1863 to 1889.
1877. Moved to East Providence.
1877. Moved to Providence.
1877 to 1914.
1891. Moved to Warren.
1895.
1911.
1911.
Moved to Providence.
Moved to Illinois.
William R. Browning, 1912.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 195
BAITIST CHURCHES IN REHOBOTH
Benedict, in his history of the Baptists, writes of the Rehoboth
churches as follows: —
"There have been Baptists in this town from about 1650, when
Obadiali Holmes separated from the parisli worship; but no church
was gathered in it until 1732, when one arose near its southeast,
under the ministry of Mr. John Comer, former pastor of the first
Baptist Church in Newport, R.I. By the year 1794, no less than
seven Baptist churches had been formed in Rehoboth. Most
of them were small and hardly any two of them were united in
their views of doctrine and discipline. Elhanan Winchester, who
afterward distinguished himself by the propagation of the doctrine
of Universal Restoration, was, for a few years, pastor of one of
them. The youngest of these is that at the lower end of the great
Seekonk Plain, within three miles of Providence, which is sup-
plied by Mr. John Pitman of that town" (now the Baptist Church
of East Providence).
At first three of these churches were of the "Six Principle" creed :
the Oak Swamp, from 1732 to 1773; the Hornbine, from 1753 to
1888; and the Round Church in northeast Rehoboth, organized
by Elder Richard Round* in 1743, and, after lapsing, was reor-
ganized by Dea. Aaron Wheeler and Elder Sylvester Round, who
were ordained its pastors April 20, 1789. This church was the
precursor of the Reformed Methodist Church in the same lo-
cality, which was organized in 1827, three years after Elder
Round's death.
The Six-Principle Baptists were strictly evangelical, and firm
believers in free will and a universal atonement, but their creed,
in Heb. 6:1,2, required them to emphasize the laying on of hands,
which they did in the case of every convert they baptized, and they
made this a condition of receiving the Lord's supper; neither
would they commune with any one who had not been both under
water and under hands. Each elder remained with the church
over which he was ordained as long as he lived, and as a rule re-
ceived no salary.
The Oak Swamp Church
This church at first belonged to the Six-Principle Baptists,
and was gathered by Rev. John Comer in 1732. He was installed
its pastor July 26th of that year. The installation sermon was
* Another nccount gives David Round, who may have been a colleague with
Richard.
196 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
preached by Rev. Ephraim Wlieaton, pastor of the First Baptist
Church of Swansea, from I Thess. 5: 12, 13. Mr. Coiner was an
able preacher and gathered many into the church. In the follow-
ing November he baptized fifteen persons in one day, and within
a year it numbered nearly one hundred members. Mr. Comer
was born in Boston, Aug. 1, 1704. From a very early age he de-
lighted in books and composed a discourse when only fifteen.
He attempted to learn a glover's trade, but his passion for study
was so strong that he prevailed on his grandfather to send him to
school. In 1723 he was admitted to Yale College, but left and
studied with Rev. Mr. Barnard of Andover the following year.
After reading ""Stennett on Baptism" he became an ardent Bap-
tist. In 1725 he went to Swansea to teach school, and while there
assisted Rev. Ephraim AVheaton in the Sabbath services. In
1726 he received a call to preach in the First Baptist Church at
Newport. After preaching in this church about a year as col-
league with Rev. William Peckham, he came out and advocated
the Six-Principle theory. This led to his dismissal from the First
Church, and he became colleague with Elder Daniel Wightman
of the Second Baptist Church of Newport, where he remained
two years, preaching with remarkable success. He was married
Jan. 20, 1726, to Miss Sarah Rogers of Newport, by whom he had
three children.
On coming to Rehoboth he labored with such zeal that he un-
dermined his health and died of consumption. May 23, 1734, in
his thirtieth year. In the old "Burial Place Hill" yard of South
Rehoboth his tombstone of blue slate bears this brief inscription: —
Here lies interred
Y« body of y« Revd
Mr. John Comer
Deed May y« 23d
1734 in y« 30th
Year of Age."
Mr. Comer had formed the design of writing the history of the
American Baptists and had collected valuable materials which
were used subsequently by both Backus and Benedict in their
histories.
Mr. Comer's successor was Nathaniel Millard, who was or-
dained June 24, 1736; but he proved unworthy of his trust and
was dismissed in 1742.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 197
Elder Samuel Maxwell was the next pastor and was installed
in 1745. After some years he became a Congregationalist and
wrote against the Baptists. The church, thus unfortunate in its
ministers, became discouraged and scattered, and many of its
members eventually joined other churches. Some of them, how-
ever, held together and secured the services first of Elder John
Paine and afterwards of Elder Richard Round, one of Mr. Comer's
converts, who had organized a church in the northeast part of the
town. Elder Round preached to this church, later called the Oak
Swamp church, until his death. May 18, 1768. His tombstone
may be seen near that of John Comer in the old yard about a
mile southeast of the Orleans Factory.
The original Oak Swamp meeting-house (not that of Elder John
Hix) stood on the triangular lot at the junction of Chestnut and
Pleasant streets, a short distance south of Horton's Signal. As
the writer was told by the oldest residents living forty years ago,
this house was framed at the old cemetery lot at Burial Place
Hill, but it was taken away in the night by the Oak Swamp people,
carried a mile and a half eastward and raised on the spot above
mentioned.
After the death of Elder Round the church no longer existed
under the Six-Principle creed. In 1773 it was reorganized with
open communion principles. Some of its members had come out
from the church of Elder John Hix, a close communion Baptist,
and others had been converted and baptized by Rev. Elhanan
Winchester, a traveling preacher; while still others had belonged
to tlie original church founded by Elder John Comer. This new
reorganized church ordained Mr. Jacob Hix as their pastor, Jan.
20, 1773, and held their services in the first Oak Swamp meeting-
house.
Elder Jacob Hix was born Jan. 1, 1740. He was the son of
Elder John Hix, and brother of Elder Daniel Hix of Dartmouth.
He owned the farm inherited from his father and part of a mill,
which, with some help from the church, enabled him to live com-
fortably. He had no children. He died March 30, 1809, aged
sixty-nine years.
From the beginning of his ministry the church was designated
as "The First Christian Church of Rehoboth," which name it still
bears.
Elder Hix with his brother Daniel held services at Dartmouth
198 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
for several years and gathered a church there, over which Elder
Daniel Hix was ordained July 12, 1780, and that church was con-
sidered as a branch of the Oak Swamp church.
The Oak Swamp or Christian church was in part the offspring
of the older Calvinistic church gathered and shepherded by Elder
John Hix.^ He was bom in Rehoboth, May 10, 1712, probably at
the Hix homestead on Brook Street, where he spent his days,
and where he died in March, 1799, aged 87 years. In the same
house his son Jacob lived and died, when the farm passed into the
hands of Samuel Baker, Jr., and here, in the old red house, Mrs.
Baker resided for more than eighty years.
Our record of the church organized by Elder John Hix is very
meager. He was ordained its pastor Nov. 10, 1762. In 1771 it
experienced a great revival, and he baptized forty persons. In
1780 the church had reached a meml>ership of one hundred and
six. After the new and more liberal church was formed in 1772,
over which his son Jacob became pastor, the two churches wor-
shipped in the same house, but separately owing to their widely
divergent creeds.
Finally, Elder John Hix becoming old and feeble and his flock
having no house of its own, it became scattered and its identity
lost. The communion vessels used in the old church were given
to the newer organization in 1804, consisting of one flagon, one
tankard, two platters, two cups, one silver spoon, one tablecloth
and one napkin, and the hope was expressed that these souvenirs
of the older church might be handed down to posterity from gen-
eration to generation.
Of the two earliest Baptist churches out of which grew the
First Christian Church of 1773, that of Elder John Hue had its
constituency in the vicinity of Oak Swamp, while that of Elder
Comer was gathered in large part from people living in the neigh-
borhood of Burial Place Hill, where Elders Comer and Round are
buried. The result was a compromise, — locating the meeting-house
between the two places, as we have seen. In an old record book
of this church, whose first entry is dated Dec. 7, 1809, the fol-
lowing title is given: **A true Copy of the Records of the First
Christian Church in Rehoboth under the care of Elder Childs
Luther."
^ There is no record of any church building. His followers may have wor*
shipped at first in a private house.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 199
The successor of Elder Jacob Hix was Elder Cliilds Luther,
who, after preaching to the people a year or two, was ordained
their pastor, Nov. 20, 1812. In 1820 the church enjoyed a special
awakening through the labors of Elders Plumm and Hathaway,
who assisted the pastor, and some forty persons professed con-
version.
At a meeting on July, 1822, the church "called Brother George
Kelton to the great work of preaching the Gosi)el, and that he
should be depended on as a helper in the work of the ministry."
He was publicly ordained to that work April 28, 1830, Elders
Joseph Blackmar, Benjamin Taylor and Richard Davis assisting
in the services.
The present house was built by a joint stock company, Mr.
Nathan Hix taking the contract for one thousand dollars. It was
dedicated May 28, 1834. Soon after this the old house was torn
down and made over into a barn.
Elder Luther continued his labors among this people until the
year 1841, having preached to them more than thirty years. In
the latter part of his pastorate a division occurred in the church
on the matter of temperance. He was inclined to be conservative,
while some of his people became vehement supporters of the prin-
ciple of total abstinence. The breach was made wider by the
Millerite excitement, with which Elder Luther had no sympathy.
He w.as born Feb. 6, 1780, and was married to Miss Lucy Kelton,
Dec. 10, 1797. He married for his second wife, Mrs. Mehitabel
GofT, Oct. 21, 1827. He died July 3, 1859, in his eightieth year,
and was buried in the Hix yard.
For a number of years Elder George Kelton assisted Mr. I^uther
as colleague. In the year 1829 there was an extensive revival in
connection with the labors of Elder Joseph Blackmar of New
York, an itinerant preacher. He si>ent about a year in this town
and baptized in all forty-eight converts. On the first day of Jan-
uary, 1830, he immersed sixteen persons in Baker's mill-pond,
just below the present meeting-house; for this purpose a way was
cut through the ice, which was fourteen inches thick. Ira Still-
man Baker was one of these, as he told the writer. His decision
was made on the spot. He threw off his coat and was baptized.
Elder Blackmar spent his last years in Boston, where he died in
October, 1878, aged seventy-eight years.
In the year 1842, Elder Matthias E. Gammons came from
200 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
Westport to this place, and in connection with Rev. W. P. Russell
reorganized the church with twelve men and twenty-one women
as charter members, on the broad basis of the following state-
ment:—
'*To whom it may concern: we as a band of brothers and sis-
ters believe it to be the will of God that we come together and
unite by organizing ourselves into a Christian Union Church for
the good of the cause of God and the upbuilding of the same.'*
The organization was effected Nov. 28, 1842, Elder Russell
preaching the sermon. The members of this new body were
drawn in part from the old church under Elder Luther, especially
those who were inclined to follow Elder Gammons in his Millerite
doctrines, which he strongly emphasized. Many of the old, sub-
stantial members refused to join in this movement and were left
without any church connection. The Second Advent excitement
was a great injury to the church. As Elder Gammons' prophecy
of the end of the world in 1843 or '44 failed, he was called to ac-
count and was dismissed Jan. 31, 1845. After this the church,
disappointed and weakened, was supplied by Dea. Hermon Wood*
Elder Luther Baker and others.
In November, 1848, Elder James L. Pierce became its pastor
and held a protracted meeting in which he was assisted by Elder
Albert G. Morton, and as a result thirteen converts were baptized
Feb. 25, 1849. Although Elder Pierce was dismissed in 1850, he
continued to reside in the neighl)orhood with intervals of brief
pastorates elsewhere, and occasionally supplied the pulpit when
vacant, almost up to the time of his death in 1897. If not a gifted
preacher, he was a good man and much respected in the com-
munity.
After 1850, Elders Otis Bliss and Waterman Pierce preached
here for a time.
From 1865 to 1877, Elder J. W. Osborne supplied the pulpit
in connection with that of the Christian Church in Swansea, of
which he was pastor. A revival in 1871-2 increased the church
meml)ership.
He was succeeded by Elder William Miller of Swansea, a ven-
erable man of handsome features and long snow-white hair who
preached the Word until April 1, 1882.
Rev. lister Howard, an able minister from the Christian
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
201
Church in Swansea, supplied the pul{)it for some years previous to
1890. On the 26th of November, 1889, the meeting-house was
re-dedicated after having been remodeled and made attractive.
On this occasion a large audience gathered and addresses were
made by Rev. J. W. Osborne and Rev. G. H. Tilton.
After this. Rev. T. S. Weeks, also of Swansea, preached ac-
ceptably to the people until Oct. 1, 1895. Since that time scarcely
any records have been kept of the doings of the church. Its ser-
vices have continued most of the time from year to year with dif-
ferent preachers, among whom was Rev. C. B. Wathen in 1904,
Elder Albert Loucks in 1911, Elder Ernest Caswell in 1913, and
Elder Frederick Dark in 1915.
The Oak Swamp church, one of the oldest in the Christian
Denomination, has had a hard struggle to live, and has never
been able to pay a larger annual salary than two hundred
dollars.
It has, however, been a constant power for good in the com-
munity. Most of its preachers have been thoughtful and devout
men, and many of its members and supporters have been and are
men and women of excellent character, while the community at
large has ever maintained a reputation for the rugged virtues of
integrity and good citizenship.
In studying the history of this church from the beginning, the
writer has been pleased to note how fully it has exemplified the
principles of a pure democracy, each member voting freely but
subject to the will of the majority. At the same time its dis-
cipline has been maintained with firmness and without respect
of persons, but with due kindness and forbearance, thus affording
a worthy example.
A Partial List of Deacons in the Oak Swamp Church
Name Appointed
Joseph Pierce, previous to 1773.
Frederick Luther, Jan. 14, 1783.
Benjamin Kingslcy,May2, 1805.
Deacon Hix, previous to 1805.
Harvey S. Pierce, 1811.
David Bosworth, Sept. 18, 1822.
Lloyd Bosworth, Sept. 18, 1822.
Aaron Case, Sept. 18, 1822.
Daniel Pierce, Feb. 28, 1835.
Name Appointed
Nathaniel Mason, April 5, 1838.
Jonathan Wheeler, 1842.
Ilcrmon Wood, 1842.
Samuel Nichols, 1859.
Dexter E. Horton, 1884.
Dexter E. Horton, Jr.
Oren N. Goff, Vice-Dea., 1884.
Henry G. Pierce, 1913.
Edgar Nickerson, 1916.
202
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
Some Early Members of the Oak Swamp Church ^
Males
Squire Goff, died May 13, 1825.
Scjuire Pierce.
Richard Bullock.
Elder Cliilds Luther.
Nathaniel Pierce 2d.
Richard Bullock, Jr.
Arial Horton, died May 1, 1838.
George In^als.
Levi B. Miller.
Lloyd Bos worth.
Sylvanus Jones. Joined
Otis Nichols, Feb. 18, 1830.
George N. Kelton, April 1, 1830.
Constant Cole, May 6, 1830.
Samuel O. Case, May 20, 1830.
Samuel Baker 3d, July 7, 1831.
Josiah Simmons, Jan. 5, 1832.
BarnardPierce3d, Aug.25, 1832.
Nathaniel Mason, Aug. 6, 1835.
Samuel Baker, Jr., Oct. 1,
Daniel Pierce, Feb. 4,
Alfred Ilorton, Aug. 3,
Reul>en G. Pierce, Nov. 2,
Plummer Pierce, Nov. 2,
James C. Pierce, Dec. 7,
Cliilds Pierce, Dec. 7,
Comfort Horton, Feb. 1,
Abel F. Pierce, Feb. 1.
Isaiah Bowen, Feb. 1,
Amos Lee, Feb. 1,
Benjamin Perry, Feb. 1,
Henry Simmons, Feb. 28,
Eibridge (^ Miller, Feb. 28,
Samuel Nichols, March 4,
Nathan B. Goff, April 5,
Gideon Ilorton, April 8,
Thomas P. Goff. April 8,
Thomas Lewis.
1835.
1836.
1837.
1837.
1837.
1837.
1837.
1838.
1838.
1838.
1838.
1838.
1838.
1838.
1838.
1838.
1838.
1838.
Females
Join&d
Patience Bowen.
Hannah Bullock.
Lydia Horton.
Chloe Bosworth.
Sarah Hicks.
Susannah Baker.
Elizabeth Miller.
Freelove Nichols.
Mary Buffinton.
Ardelia Allen.
Mary Martin.
Rebecca Bullock.
Hannah H. Bullock.
Nancy Pierce.
Rhoda Kelton, died May 3,
Precilla Case.
Maryan Pierce.
Patience Buffinton.
Betsy Pierce.
Lydia Bowen.
Abagail Bowen.
Sarah Miller.
1839.
Sal la Ix^e.
Lyda Kelton,
Surah Bowen.
Hannah Nichols, Feb. 18,
Huldah Bullock, Feb. 18,
Nancy Hicks, March 18,
Eliza Simmons, April 1,
Ilaniiuh Bosworth, April 1,
Susan Eddy, June 3,
Mary Simmons, July 1,
Nancy Mason,
Sally Baker,
Sally Hunter,
Eliza Pierce.
Maryan Buffinton, Dec. 2,
Almanda Baker, June 2,
Patience Baker, Oct. 1,
Sasannah Pierce 2d, Oct. 1,
Abagail Goff.
Selyan Pierce, Nov. 2,
Nancy Allen, Nov. 2,
Mariali Bullock, Nov. 2,
Jan. 7, 1830.
1830.
1830.
1830.
1830.
1830.
1830.
1830.
1830.
1830.
1830.
Sept. 2,
Nov. 4,
Dec. 2,
1830.
1831.
1835.
1835.
1837.
1837.
1837.
* From Church Record Book from 1809 to 18:i7. The revised list made Oct.
5. 1837.
riOltMIIXK Cdl'IKII
FtOltNlKNK SrFI<)(H,nOi;SE
UII.I.EAM TIIATCIIKH
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
203
Levina Millard, Nov. 2, 1837.
Emeline Baker, Nov. 2, 1837.
Lorryan I^wton, Dec. 7, 1837.
Mary Bullock, Dec. 7, 1837.
Nancy Horton, Oct. 5, 1837.
Sarah Ann Horton, Oct. 5, 1837.
Nancy G. Pierce, Oct. 5, 1837.
Jane Croswell, Aug. 3, 1837.
Abby Ann Pierce, Feb. 1, 1838.
Huldy Miller, Feb. 28, 1838.
Nancy Nichols, March 4, 1838.
Nancy W. Pierce, April 8, 1838.
Choice M. Pierce, April 8, 1838.
Lucinda D. Pierce, April 8, 1838.
Pheby Short, April 8, 1838.
Sally Goff, Sept. 6, 1838.
The Hornbine Church
This church is in the southeast part of the town, about six miles
from Rehoboth Village. It is at the present time (1917) in ex-
cellent repair, with neat and attractive surroundings. The church
belonged originally to the order of the Six-Principle Baptists.
Their creed is found in Hebrews vi: 1, 2. The name "Hornbine"
is a corruption of Hornbeam, a species of tree which grows in the
vicinity.
About thirty members of the Second Baptist Church in Swan-
sea, at that time of the Six- Principle creed, formed themselves into
a church in Rehoboth, and ordained Mr. Daniel Martin as their
pastor, Feb. 8, 1753. Elder Martin was the eldest son of Dea.
Melatiah Martin of Swansea. He was born Sept. 23, 1702, fol-
lowed the trade of a house-carpenter, and died Nov. 18, 1781,
aged seventy-nine. He had nine children.
Soon after his settlement over this church, Elder Nathan
Pierce was ordained as his colleague and continued to preach to
this people for forty years. He was born in Warwick, R.I., Feb.
21, 1716. His father was Dea. Mial Pearce.* His wife was Lydia
Martin of Barrington, R.I., to whom he was married Oct. 6, 1736.
They had sixteen children, ten sons and six daughters. Two of
his sons were Revolutionary soldiers. Mr. Pierce died April 14,
1793, in his seventy-eighth year. His mortal remains, buried in
the family yard in the Horton neighborhood, have since been re-
moved with those of his son. Elder Preserved, to the Village
Cemetery. "Elder Pierce was an able minister of the New Testa-
ment, sound in the faith, deep in the mysteries of godliness, — a
plain, powerful, comprehensive and feeling preacher." (Knight's
Baptist History, p. 304.) During his ministry the church increased
in numbers and influence. Some years before the death of Elder
Pierce, Elder Thomas Seamans was ordained as his colleague.
' Until recent years the name was often written and pronounced Pearce.
204 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
He was a fanner by occupation and possessed great physical vigor.
He preached a sermon in this church after he was one hundred
years of age, and died in 1826, at the advanced age of one hundred
and four years, five months and fifteen days, probably the oldest
person that ever died in Rehoboth. He spent the last few years
of his life with his son, Mr. Comfort Seamans, who owned a farm
about a mile north of the church. His remains lie buried in a
little plot on the farm inclosed by a strong wall, but overgrown
with shrubs. The stone which marks the spot is uninscribed,
save on the upper edge, where the figures "104,'* rudely carved»
indicate his age. Beside him are buried his son and several mem-
bers of his family. Elder Seamans' grandson, deacon Josiah Sim-
mons (as the name is now spelled) was an honored deacon in this
church for many years.
During Elder Seamans' pastorate he was assisted by several
colleagues. Elder Benjamin Mason of Swansea preached with
him for a time. In the year 1800, Elder Preserved Pierce and his
brother Elder Philip Pierce, were ordained as associate pastors
with Elder Seamans. Elder Philip Pierce afterwards went West,
but returned to spend his last years with his daughter in Dighton,
Mass.
Elder Preserved Pierce was the son of Elder Nathan, and was
bom in Rehoboth July 23, 1758. He married Sarah Lewb, also
of Rehoboth, by whom he had ten children. Richard Knight,
in his Baptist History ^ speaks of him as a "sound, pious and useful
minister." During his pastorate no salary was paid by the church,
the minister earning his bread by the sweat of his brow. This
accounts for the custom in this denomination of having colleagues,
thus permitting several elders to share the work of the parish
while supporting themselves.
Mr. Pierce used to say that the only money he received for his
services was fifty cents a year, which sum a good lady, Miss Molly
Miller, slipped into his fingers while shaking hands with him. A
large number of members were added to the church during hb
ministry, which continued till his death, June 29, 1828, in the
seventieth year of his age. At this period, according to Knight,
the Church had about 126 members.^ After the death of Elder
Pierce the church was supplied by Elders William Manchester,
Joseph Blackmar and others, until 1834, when Elder Otis Potter
'Knight's History of the General or Six-Principle Baptists, Providence, 1827.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 205
of Cranston, R.I., became their minister. On the first Sabbath
in May of that year Elder Potter organized the Sunday-school,
consisting of thirty or forty young people, which he superintended
himself. He resided at Swansea Factory and preached a part of
the time to the Swansea church at the home of Dea. Ellery Wood.
During the first year of Elder Potter's pastorate, there was a
revival, and sixty persons joined the church on profession of
faith.
Elder Potter was a strong advocate of temperance, and an un-
compromising abolitionist. At the time of the Dorr disturbance
in Rhode Island, he took a rigid stand against the Dorr party,
much to the displeasure of certain members of his church. On
going into his pulpit one Sunday, having the week before ex-
pressed himself strongly on this point, he found suspended there
a gun, knapsack, bayonet, sword, and various other implements
of war.
Finding that he had in various ways aroused considerable op-
position to himself, he left Rehoboth in 1841 or *42 and preached
at Cranston, R.I., until 1848, when he returned to his former
charge in Rehoboth, where he remained four years longer. After
that he moved to Providence and went into the book business,
still preaching as he had opportunity. He died May 27, 1857, of
consumption. One of his sons. Elder Thomas Potter, preached
for a time at Fresno, Cal.
The church was next supplied by Elders Warner and Morton,
and Elder Samuel Knight of Swansea. Elder Waterman Pierce,
grandson of Elder Nathan, also preached to this people for sev-
eral years. Most of his ministerial life was spent with the Free
Baptist Church at Barneyville, Swansea, a little flock which he
had gathered.
Elder Welcome G. Comstock was acting pastor of this church
for about fourteen years, beginning in 1862. He was a kind, jovial
man, and an entertaining speaker, but a poor financier.
From 1876 to 1880, Rev. James L. Pierce was acting pastor.
During this period there was a revival in which Mr. Pierce was
assisted by Dr. M. L. Rosvalley, a converted Jew. The church
received some additions and was much strengthened. Mr. Pierce
having preached for more than thirty years in various places,
ended his days in South Rehoboth.
Mr. Pierce's successor was Rev. William Miller of Swansea,
206 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
who began hb labors here April 1« 1880, and supplied the pulpit
for a number of years.
In the spring of 1888, Rev. George H. Horton became pastor
of this church, which he served faithfully for five years. Up to
this time the church had continued under the old Six-Principle
creed, although several of its ministers were of other denomina-
tions. Mr. Horton secured the substitution of the Free BapUst
creed, and the church became aflSliated with the Free Baptist
Association of Rhode Island. Public services in recognition of the
change were held in the church, Nov. 20, 1888. Since that time
a number of ministers have supplied the pulpit and changes have
been frequent. Among these are Revs. L. B. Rose, 1894, B. A.
Sherwood, 1895, R. I. Hudson, 1896, George E. Hathaway, 1897-
1901, S. H. McKean, 1902-1904, W. A. Leonard, 1906-1908,
Walter Bartlett of the Dighton Congregational church, 1908-
1909, and John P. Richardson from the same church, 1910 to
1916. While preaching has been regularly sustained and the
property well kept, the church proper has run down until only
one member is left, Mrs. Frank Pierce, its clerk. The Christian
people of the community, however, forming a congregation of
twenty-five to thirty-five at the Sunday service, although of many
creeds, afford a fine illustration of Christian union.
About fifty years ago the Hombine people formed themselves
into an organization which they designated as The First Baptist
Church and Society, for the purpose of raising money for the par-
ish expenses. Under its direction annual clam-bakes have been
held at Baker's Grove near the church. These clam-bakes soon
became very popular, and in some years nearly three thousand peo*
pie have assembled from the surrounding cities and towns. Plates
were set for fifteen hundred at fifty cents each, and five hundred
more were fed at random, paying for what they ordered. More
than a thousand dollars has been taken in a single day. This
was before 1886, when the Antiquarian Bake was instituted at the
Village, after which the attendance diminished somewhat, and
especially after the advent of the electrics in 1898, which favored
the Village bake; but since automobiles have become common
the old-time crowds have come back and often the patrons of the
bake are more than can be cared for. Many of these visitors
have relatives in the neighborhood and the day (the first Wednes-
day in September) is to them an occasion of a grand reunion.
liKdlttiK II. FIOllTON
\VKL(■0^[K F. IIOUTOX
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 207
For the last forty years the net proceeds have averaged $400.
The nineteen hundred and fourteen bake netted over $450. Some
money is also received from the "Columbus Bake," which was
begun in 1911 for the enjoyment of the people of the neighbor-
hood to whom the larger bake brought much care and labor; but
others also like to come, and preparation is made for two hundred
and fifty people. The proceeds of these clam-bakes have enabled
the Society to meet all expenses and to maintain the Church
property in first-class condition.
As there are no early records of this church, a complete list of
its deacons cannot be given, but some of them were Mial Pearce,
Joseph Seamans, Joseph Lewis, Ichabod Bosworth, Jonathan
Lewis, Mason Horton, and George T. Wheeler.
The Anna wan Union Baptist Church
In the year 1839 the Congregational Society left their old meet-
ing-house on the Village Cemetery lot and entered their new house
of worship in the Village. Several of the older members, however,
including some of the trustees, were unwilling to make the change,
and withdrew from the Society. At this time there were a few
families of the Bai)tist beHef living in Rehoboth who were members
of Elder GofT*s church, on Long Hill, in Dighton. As the latter
church had greatly declined in numbers, making it diflScult to
sustain regular services, it was thought a favorable time to form
a new Baptist church within the limits of Rehoboth. This plan
was favored by Elder J. L. Whittemore, of the Dighton church.
Accordingly it was proposed that these brethren join with the
distifTecled members of the Congregational Society in holding
a series of meetings with reference to forming a new church.
The first meeting was held on the first Sabbath in January,
1840, at the tavern of Mr. Isaac Lewis, where there was a con-
venient hall. A large number were present, and the congregation
continued to increase from Sabbath to Sabbath, till the hall over-
flowed. After the first few meetings, which were conducted by
Messrs. Whittemore and Brently, the people secured the services
of Mr. Caleb Blood, a talented young man from the freshman
class of Brown University.
Early in the spring of this year The Union Baptist Society was
organized. A committee was appointed, consisting of Richard
Goff, Otis Peck, and Joseph Bowen, to erect a meeting-house on
206 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
the lot appropriated for that purpose by Darius Horton, near
Lewis' tavern, on the Providence and Taunton turnpike.
On the twelfth of March, Mr. Blood presented eight articles
of faith, embodying the strict principles of the Calvinistic Bap-
tists. These articles were signed by the following persons, who
thereby constituted themselves a church: Seth Talbot, Isaiah
N. Allen, Benjamin Munroe, Charles C. Munroe, Sally Talbot,
Ann F. Allen, Ruth Munroe, Sybil Peck, Peddy Peck, Joanna
Horton, Polly Bowen, Nancy Bowen, Fanny L. Williams, Olive
Wheeler, Joanna Wheeler, Lucy Horton and Jane Snow.
Thb church was publicly recognized by an ecclesiastical council
which assembled at Lewis' hall, April 1, 1840, Rev. A. Fisher of
Swansea preaching the sermon. The following day was set apart
by the church as a day of special fasting and prayer, and meet-
ings were held almost daily for several weeks, resulting in num-
erous conversions. April 26th, Danforth G. Horton, John Davis,
Jr., Thomas Carpenter, and several others were baptized.
On the third of June, Mr. Caleb Blood was ordained by an
ecclesiastical council which met at Lewis' tavern. Rev. Asa
Bronson of Fall River preaching the sermon. Mr. Blood was en-
gaged to supply the pulpit for the sum of three hundred dollars
a year. His pastoral labors were greatly blessed, and the
church at the close of the first year numbered forty-three mem-
bers. Mr. Blood was bom July 4, 1815, at Rodman, N.Y.
He graduated at Brown University in 1844; was married April
10, 1844, to Miss Martha Baker of Rehoboth, by whom he had
five children. He died Nov. 21, 1881, at Independence, Mo.
While pastor of this church Mr. Blood organized the Sunday-
school which flourished for many years.
The new meeting-house was dedicated Nov. 25, 1840, with the
sermon by Mr. Blood, from Isaiah 60:13.
Up to 1883 the church had fifteen pastors and acting pastors,
whose names and terms of service follow: Rev. Caleb Blood,
1840-41 (died Nov. 21, 1881); Rev. David M. Burdick, 1841-43;
Rev. Henry C. Coombs, 1843-47; Rev. Silas Hall, 1847-49; Rev.
Samuel A. Collins, 1850-52; Rev. Zalmon Tobey, 1852-53; Rev.
J. J.Thatcher, 1854-59; Rev. Henry C. Coombs, 1860-64; Rev.
Samuel C. Cheever, 1865-68; Rev. John Coombs, 1868-69;
Rev. J. M. Mace, 1870-73; Rev. Norman B. Wilson, 1873-75;
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 209
Rev. L. F. Shepherdson, 1875-78; Rev. O. P. Bessey, 1878-80;
Rev. D. C. Bixby, 1880-83.
In 1870 the church was presented with a house and lot for a
parsonage, the gift of Mrs. Delight C. Reed, of Taunton» only
child of Christopher Carpenter of Rehoboth. In 1878 the church
received a bequest of five hundred dollars from Mrs. Nancy Baker.
An important revival was enjoyed under the labors of Rev.
Samuel A. Collins, and many were added to the church. An-
other revival occurred during the pastorate of Mr. Bessey, the
Congregational Church joining in special services during the
winter of 1879-80.
After Mr. Bixby came Rev. E. A. Goddard, whose personal
influence vitalized all branches of the church and led to increased
attendance and activity. A conveyance was furnished each Sun-
day to bring the people to church and Sunday-school from the
outlying districts, and the whole community felt the awakening.
This was a last great effort to save the church from a decline
which was inevitable. So many had died or moved away that the
church ultimately became weak in membership and finances.
Mr. Goddard finished his work here about 1889, and was fol-
lowed by Rev. A. T. Derr from Newton Theological Seminary^
who was ordained pastor of the church Jan. 29, 1890, but re-
mained only a short time, giving place to Rev. J. H. Balcom in
1891-1893. The pulpit was then supplied by John Watts and
Howard Brown, students from Brown University, each for one
year; and last of all by Rev. Wallace Gushee. The church was
finally closed about the year 1900 after sixty years of struggle
and self-denial. At the church reunion on Fast Day, 1886, the
statement was made by Dea. Gilbert Bullock that "since the or-
ganization of the church in 1840, two hundred and thirty different
persons have been members, and the present number is eighty-
six." After 1900 the house remained unoccupied for a number of
years and some of the Baptists attended the Congregational
Church at the Village.
The deacons of the Annawan church were: Seth Talbot, ap-
pointed in 1840, John Davis, Jr., 1840; Sylvester Hunt, 1845;
John Davis, 1854; Gilbert D. Bullock, 1867; Hale S. Luther.
1883; and G. Gardner Bullock, 1883.
Deacon Luther was for a long time superintendent of the Sun-
day-school, a man highly respected for his sterling virtues, and
14
210 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
likewise Dea. G. D. Bullock, whose zeal and devotion to the church
were unfailing. The name of Charles Perry should also be men-
tioned as one who spared neither time nor money in the service
of the church and Sunday-school.
April 28, 1908, the church people gave their property to the
Annawan Grange, which has greatly improved the house, and holds
its meetings there.
This is one of the incidental good results of the movement in
1840 to establish a Baptist church near Lewis' tavern. Of the
moral and spiritual uplift to those who have felt its influence,
only the recording angel can bear witness.
The Irons, or Freb-Will Baptist Church
The Irons Church, so-called, was located in the north part of
the town, in an oak grove,^ about half a mile south of the Attle-
borough line and not far from Briggs Corner. It was organized
Oct. 2, 1777, with thirty-one members. A distinguishing feature
of this body was its practice of free communion, and at a very
early period it became connected with the Groton Conference of
Free Communion Baptists. Elder James Sheldon of Providence
was ordained its first pastor, Sept. 6, 1780.
According to Backus, he bought a farm in the neighborhood for
sixteen hundred dollars, but owing to the financial distress of
1786, after paying in one thousand dollars, he was obliged to sell
it at a loss of seven hundred dollars and moved back to Providence,
although he came out and preached until his dismission in 1792,
after which he removed to the state of New York.
Elder Sheldon was followed by Elder Jeremiah Irons, who was
ordained over the church Sept. 24, 1795. He continued to labor
here with great acceptance until his dismission, June 26, 1799. He
was born in Gloucester, R.I., Oct. 14, 1765. After leaving Re-
hoboth he preached for many years in the West. At the time of.
his pastorate, and afterward, the church came to be known as
**The Irons Church." For several years after Mr. Irons left, the
church was supplied by Elders William Northrup, Daniel Hix
and others, until 1808, when Elder Samuel Northrup of North
Kingston, R.I., became acting pastor until his death, July 21,
1812. Under his ministry the church flourished and increased in
numbers and strength.
*Af shown in a pencil sketch preserved by Dr. William BlandinK (see p. 4).
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 211
Again the church was left without a regular pastor for a number of
years. Elder Sylvester Round, pastor of the Six-Principle Baptist
Church near Stevens' Comer, often preached for them and admin-
istered the sacrament. The pulpit was also supplied by Elders
Childs Luther, Daniel Hix, Levi Hathaway, and Reuben Allen.
The church enjoyed its greatest revival in the years 1820-22,
under the labors of Elders David Sweet and Levi Hathaway, and
a large number of worthy members were gathered into it. From
this time the church became connected with the Rhode Island
Quarterly Meeting, a Free- Will Baptist organization, and was sup-
plied mostly by ministers from this association. It was henceforth
designated as The First Free- Will Baptist Church in Rehoboth.
In 1830-31 the church enjoyed another interesting revival un-
der the preaching of Elder John Yearnshaw, when twenty-five
more persons joined its membership. In 1834-35, Elder Junia
S. Mowry was acting pastor. He was succeeded by Mr. David
Steere, who was ordained pastor in September, 1836. At this
time the church numbered ninety members. His father was a
Quaker, who died leaving him, a young lad, with a large fortune.
This he soon wasted with riotous living, and worked for a time in
a paper-mill in Cumberland, R.I. He was converted in a bar-
room. As he was putting a glass of rum to his lips, he seemed to
hear a voice saying to him plainly, "David, if you drink that cup,
you drink your eternal damnation.*' He dropped the glass, fell
on his knees, and cried to God for mercy. From that hour he was
an active Christian. He remained with this church till 1840,
when he was dismissed, and went to Newport, R.I. It was during
Elder Steere's pastorate that the old first meeting-house was aban-
doned and a new one built one-third of a mile further north
and nearer Briggs Corner, on the opposite side of the road from
the Thrasher house. This church was dedicated July 4, 1837.
Mr. John W. Colwell was ordained pastor of this church in Octo-
ber, 1841, and continued for four years. For several years he was
overseer in the factory at Hebronville. He preached a while in
California, and on his return died at Panama. He left several
children. One of his sons was Rev. John W. Colwell, a Con-
gregational clergyman.
Mr. Colwell was succeeded by Elder Joshua Stetson, who was
ordained over the church in August, 1845, and labored in all
about two years, when he removed to Taunton.
212 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
Mr. Stetson's successor was Elder Gardner Clarke» who was
acting pastor from July* 1846» until 1853» during which time there
was a revival, and several names were added to the church. Mr.
Clarke was bom at Highgate, Vt., Aug. 21, 1812. He spent hia
early days mostly at Bradford, Vt., and received a good education
from the academies of his native State. He was ordained at Cabot*
Vt., in 1843. He was married in 1837 to Miss Jane R. Deming»
of Wethersfield, Conn., by whom he had three daughters. Mr.
Clarke resided in Attleborough. He was succeeded by Elder
liOwell Parker, of Charlestown, R.I., who remained with the
church from 1853 to 1858, when he removed to Portsmouth,
N.H.; 1859-62, Elder George W. Wallace; 1863-64, Elder John
Pratt, of Newport, R.I.; 1865, Elder Handy. After 1866 the
church was supplied for a number of years by students from Brown
University. In 1875 there were only seven active members.
In 1880-82, Elder Gardner Clarke preached to thb people a
second time. After this the services of the church proper ceased.
The Methodists held one service each Sabbath for several years,
but in 1892 the church was permanently closed. It was finally
taken down, and to-day scarcely a stone is left to mark its site.
Every vestige of the old Irons Church is gone long since, grove
and all.
In 1886 a chapel was built across the line in Attleborough,
owned and run by the "Christian Union of Briggs Corner." A
Sunday-school was organized and services were held at first, oc-
casionally by different ministers, but later the work came under
the spiritual care of the Second Congregational Church in Attle-
borough, to which many of the communicants belong, and for
a number of years its pastor. Dr. J. Lee Mitchell, has preached
here regularly. The enterprise is much indebted to the Ladies'
"Mite Society" which has a membership of forty-eight.
The following is the list of deacons since the organization of
tlie old church in 1777: Jacob Bliss, David Perry, Edmund Mason,
Cyril C. Peck, William Cole, Milton Freeman, George H. Thrasher,
William Lane.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
A Baptist Church of the Six-Principle order was formed in the
northeast part of the town, not far from Stevens* Corner, about
the year 1740. It started with forty members, and ordained Mr.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 213
Richard Round as its pastor, July 13, 1743. After some years,
he left to preach at Oak Swamp, where he died May 18, 1768,
and his tombstone may be seen near Rev. John Comer's in the
South Rehoboth burying-ground. After his removal the church
he had gathered became feeble and there was no regular preaching
for many years.
In the year 1789 the church was revived under the efficient
labors of Elder Sylvester Round and Deacon Aaron Wheeler.
They were ordained as associate pastors on the twentieth of April
of that year. Elder Wheeler died in 1800, but Elder Round con-
tinued its pastor till his death, Oct. 26, 1824. He was a very able
and influential man. He was born in this town April 10, 1762,
and was married to Mehitabel Perry in 1780. About the year
1800 he built the old tavern-house for his son.
Up to the time of Elder Round's death the church had belonged
to the Six-Principle Baptists. The house of worship stood where
the school-house now stands. In 1824 the old meeting-house,
having fallen into decay, a new one was built on the corner of the
road leading to Norton.
In 1826, Rev. Lorenzo Dow Johnson, a Reformed Methodist,
from Vermont, visited this place and preached the gospel with
great power; the church was revived, and joined the denomination
to which Mr. Johnson belonged. It soon became prosperous, and
under the preaching of Rev. Benjamin McCloth, Rev. Joseph
Eldridge, and others, was favored with several revivals of re-
ligion, until in 1834 it had seventy-seven members.
In 1843 the present house of worship was erected, largely
through the influence of Mr. Grcnvillc Stevens. Rev. Charles
Hammond now became pastor, and remained for several years.
After Mr. Hammond left, the Reformed Methodists were mostly
merged in the Wesleyan Methodists, and the church could not
find preachers for the pulpit. At length certain persons applied
to the Providence Annual Conference, and the Rev. William Cone
was sent to them in 1849.
Now began a new era in the history of the church, henceforth
of the Methodist Episcopal order. It appears that about the year
1798, Rev. John Brodhcad, a Methodist preacher, had organized
a Methodist class, which in 1810 had forty-five members. Rev.
Thomas Perry and his wife were among the earliest members of
this class, as were also Mrs. Rebecca Perry and Mrs. Noah Bliss
214 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
When Mr. Cone came here he succeeded in uniting the remnant
of this old class with a few of the members of the Methodist Be*
formed Church, together with others who had been converted
through his labors, so that at the close of his first year in 1850 he
returned a membership of forty-four.
Mr. Cone was succeeded in 1850 by Rev. J. E. Gifford, a asealous
lalmrer, who brought the membership up to sixty-five in 1852.
The church debt was wholly paid under his pastorate.
In 1856-57 there was a powerful revival, owing to the efficient
labors of Rev. Moses Chace, and many worthy meml)ers were
added to the church.
A successful Sunday-school has been sustained from the first.
In 1883 the church numbered forty-five members. It held reg-
ularly a monthly meeting of prayer for missions, for which cause
it contributed liberally.
The preachers and the dates of their service have been as follow :
William Cone, 1849; J. E. Gifford, 1850-51; W. H. Richards,
1852-53; Arnold Adams, 1854-55; Henry H. Smith, 1856-57;
Samuel Fox, 1858-59; Edward A. Lyon, 1860; Abel Gardner,
1861-62; S. W. Cogshall, 1863; Charles Morse, 1864-65; B. K.
Bosworth, 1866-67; Caleb S. Sanford, 1868; John Q. Adams,
1869-70; Richard Pony, 1871-72; Elijali F. Smith, 1873; De
Witt C. House, 1874-75; S. V. B. Cross, 1876-77; S. P. Snow.
1878; Charles Stokes, 1879; J. A. Rood, 1880-83; John F. Shef-
field, 1883-84; George W. King, 1884-85; Charles Hammond,
1885-86; Henry P. Adams, 1886-89; W. Hall, 1889-90; Clark
Perry, 1890-91; Samuel F.Johnson, 1891-93; Edward B. Gurney,
1893-94; Nathaniel B. Cook, 1895-96; James Biram, 1896-97;
Benjamin F. Raynor, 1898-99; Marsden R. Foster, 1899-1902;
Alexander Anderson, 1902-03; William Kirkby, 1904-08; George
H. Butler, 1908-12; William McCreary, 1912-13; William F.
Martin, 1913-15.
Most of these preachers have belonged to the New England
Southern Conference. Two of them became distinguished in the
denomination. S. W^ Cogshall was a noted scliolar and author.
He contributed largely to Methodist periodical literature. While
at Rehoboth he received the degree of D.D. from the Ohio Wes-
leyan University, and was often spoken of as ''a walking cyclo-
pedia.**
G. W. King was one of the ablest preachers among the
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 215
Methodists, and author of **T!ie Moral Universe" and other
books.
Nearly all of these ministers, as far as Mr. Gurney, resided
within the parish and devoted their whole time to its interests.
Messrs. Cook, Biram, Raynor, and Foster divided their time
l)etween this and the Chartley field.
Messrs. Anderson and Kirkby were pastors at Hebron ville and
supplied the pulpit here on the Sabbath. Messrs. Butler, Me-
Clcary and Martin resided in Providence.
During the last thirty years the church has lost by death and
removals more than it has gained by admissions. It continues
under difficulties. The church property is kept in good repair,
partly by the aid of an annual clam-bake which has proved bene-
ficial both financially and socially. The electric cars have also
helped the attendance, although the congregations are small.
ELDER PECK'S CHURCH
Elder Peck's Church was located in the eastern part of Seekonk,
at the junction of Lake Street and Lincoln Street, and although
the house was taken down more than a hundred years ago (in
1815), the site is still known as "The Meeting-house lot." This
church was organized by Elder Samuel Peck (1703-1788), who
was its minister for more than forty years. Although Elder Peck
was reckoned as a Baptist, he was an independent and liberal
Christian who welcomed all followers of Christ to the privileges
of his church. The Historian, Backus, speaks of his church as
"Congregational." Lender the ministry of its large-hearted leader
it was a moral and spiritual light in the community. Dr. William
Blanding (1773-1857), son of William and Lydia (Ormsbee) Bland-
ing, tells us that his grandfather, Abraham Ormsbee, attended
Elder Peck's Church and led the singing there. As we have seen,
the house was standing some years after the Revolution, but its
glory seems to have departed with its founder.
Elder Samuel Peck was the son of Captain Samuel Peck, who
was the son of Joseph, one of the earliest settlers on the bank of
Palmer's River; the family for several generations resided on a
farm within the limits of the Thomas Reynolds farm off Summer
Street, and formerly known as the "Covill" place. Elder Peck
married Hannah Allen of Barrington, March 23, 1733-4, and
"lived near Joshua Smith's."
CHAPTER VII
EDUCATION IN REHOBOTH
In the early days of New England, when the population was
mostly of Puritan stock, the children were taught the elements
of learning by their parents and by the parish minister, who met
them at their homes or in the church. Modem reading-books
were unknown, and no spelling-books were prepared before the
middle of the eighteenth century. Children were taught to read
from the hornbook, a kind of printed tablet covered with thin,
transparent horn, or the New England Primer, in use for more
than a century with a yearly sale of twenty thousand copies. It
contained the alphabet, the Arabic numerals, Scripture verses in-
cluding the Lord's prayer, and pious rimes in which children were
drilled for the double practice of reading and religion.
'In Adam's fall
We sinned all."
"Zaccheus he
Did climb a tree
His Lord to see."
Moral hints were couched in couplets like this: —
"A dog will bite
A thief at night."
The advanced reading-book of the early days was the Bible it-
self. A copy was supposed to be in every home, and it was read
and conned more than all other books together.
Webster's spelling-book was a great advance over all other el-
ementary helps. It was published in 1785, and was in common
use fifty or sixty years ago. Many millions of copies have been
sold.
Massachusetts claims the honor of having originated the free
public school by a law enacted in 1647. But the Rehoboth pro-
prietors, four years earlier, Dec. 10, 1643, at a meeting in Wey-
mouth, had voted that "the teacher should have a certain portion
from each settler," thus making the first provision on record for
free public schools by taxation (p. 21).
[tia]
I'KESENT I'AltSONAGK OLD I'AUSONAGK
lluilt in 18-Jlt (K'cupieil by U«v. Otia Tliomp-ion, lS0O-m4O.
EDUCATION IN REHOBOTH 217
These early settlers made provision, first of all for religion as
the most essential thing, and in the second place for the education
of their children. Every community must have its minister to
preach the Gospel, and its teacher to instruct the rising genera-
tion to "read, write and cipher."
The town fathers set apart certain lots of land known as "Pas-
tors' and Teachers' Rights" for the use of the minister and the
pedagogue. The teacher's compensation was small, not exceeding
forty pounds a year for many years, and often much less.
The following items from this history show the amounts raised
for schools from time to time : —
In 1680 Mr. Edward Howard was engaged to teach school for
"twenty pounds a year and his diet" (p. 90).
In 1699 Robert Dickson was engaged for six months "to teach
both boys and girls to read English and write and cast accounts,
for which service he was to have thirteen pounds, one half in silver
money and the other half in good, merchantable boards" (p. 98).
In the year 1700 the school committee of the town agreed with
the Rev. Thomas Greenwood, their minister, to teach school for
the sum of thirty pounds in current silver money (p. 98).
After 1712 the Palmer's River neighborhood received a part of
the school money. As the population increased, more money
was appropriated for the schools. In 1754, thirty-eight pounds;
in 1772, eighty pounds; in 1792, one hundred and fifty pounds,
to include a Latin school. After the division of the town in 181 2,
Rehoboth began by raising four hundred dollars a year; in 1819, six
hundred dollars; in 1877, fifty-three hundred; in 1907, the same;
in 1913, 1914, and 1915, six thousand dollars; and in 1916, seven
thousand dollars. From this is paid the tuition of the eighteen
high-school pupils who study out of town.
Up to the middle of the niiiteenth century each district fur-
nished fuel and the teacher's board free of charge. The districts
were authorized by a law enacted in 1789 with the purpose of
giving all school children a fair chance by having convenient cen-
ters of instruction. Rehoboth was accordingly divided into fif-
teen districts. The design of the system was praiseworthy, but
its working was defective.
At first the prudential committee was elected by the town, but
by a law passed in 1799 the districts were given corporate powers
and chose their own moderator, clerk and prudential committee.
218 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
and neither town nor state had any power to determine their acta.
The prudential committee hired the teacher for his district, who
must, however, secure from the town's committee a certificate of
qualification. This was nearly always given, though not infre-
quently against his best judgment. The town and state, thus
handicapped, were unable to standardize either rules or text-
books. Children moving into a district brought with them such
books as they had. School books were the proj^erty of the pupils,
and they were seldom required to buy a different set. This lack
of uniformity multiplied classes and hindered the work of the
teacher. Horace Mann says of the system: ''I consider the law
of 1789 authorizing towns to divide themselves into districts
the most unfortunate law on the subject of common schools
ever enacted in Massachusetts." The schools of Rehol>oth, some
of which were poorly equipped, illustrated the working of this
system until 1883, when the districts were abolished by the State.
This was a long step forward and was followed the next year by
a statute requiring all towns to own the text-books and to loan
them to the pupils without expense, thereby securing uniformity.
One thing may l)e said for the district schools. They were
managed economically. As the parents boarded the teacher and
supplied the wood, the only expense was the teacher's wages,
which up to 1850 or later averaged for a man from S12 to S16 a
month, and for a woman from S2 to $5 a month, making the total
expense for a summer term about S20 and for a winter term about
$50. Exceptional teachers were paid more. In the winter of 1840-
41, district number 1, later known as the Harris School, paid
Lemuel Morse, Esq., S20 a month; but the next winter William
A. King, one of Mr. Morse's pupils, taught the Oak Swamp School
for SI 1 a month.
The school year consisted of two terms of three months each.
The summer term began the first Monday in May and was kept
by a woman. The winter term began the first Monday in Decem-
ber, when the older boys and girls attended, sometimes up to the
age of twenty, and was usually taught by a man. Since the civil
war of 1861-65, however, no men have come to Rehoboth to teach.
For the most part only common branches were pursued, but at
the Blanding School (district number 2), Algebra, Physiology,
Rhetoric and I^itin were also taken up, and in fact, for a number of
years this was the most advanced school in town, owing to its
EDUCATION IN REHOBOTH 219
carefully selected teachers and the private schools between the
regular terms. Teachers were secured from Brown University,
among them Dr. Theophilus Hutchins and Francis Wheaton, and
later Charles A. Snow, afterwards a Baptist minister. Some of
the women teachers here were of unusual excellence, as Amelia
D. Blanding, Susan and Elizabeth Blanding, and Elizabeth B.
Pierce. Nearly forty young pupils have received here their pre-
paration for service as teachers.
It should be stated that several of the districts had libraries of
their own. Every district raising $30 for this purpose was assisted
by the State. There was such a lilirary in the Village (district
number 7), kept in J. C. Marvel's store, which was frequently con-
sulted. The remains of such a library are still to be seen at the
Bliss School (number 5). In most cases, however, the old books
have become scattered and lost.
An interesting event connected with our common schools was
the fortieth reunion of the pupils of Mrs. Elizabeth Z. Baker,
fourteen in number, at the Hornbine School (number 10) in Oc-
tober, 1909. Other pupils also and friends of the school were pres-
ent, exercises being held in the church, and Mrs. Baker and her
class of fourteen were photographed.
Among the men and women who have been effective workers
for the welfare of the Rehobolh schools may be mentioned Ira
Perry, L. Morse, Esq., Asaph L. Bliss, George H. Carpenter,
John C. Marvel, James Blanding, William D. Hunt, Francis A.
Bliss, Elizabeth B. Pierce, and Charlotte W. Brown.
Taken as a whole the Rehoboth schools will compare favorably
with those of other country towns, having maintained an ex-
ceptionally high standard. Many bright girls have become suc-
cessful teachers, even without the advantages of a normal training.
Men of affairs have also received here their preparation for a suc-
cessful career. Ex-Governor John W. Davis, Philip Munroe,
Marsden J. Perry, Nathaniel B. Horton, Henry T. Horton, Jere-
miah W. Horton, Edwin R. Bosworth, and William W. Bland-
ing may be mentioned with numerous others.
In addition to the common district schools, several private
schools have been opened with greater or less success. About
the years 1830-35, Rev. Otis Thompson, who had trained at the
Rehoboth parsonage no less than fifteen young ministers for their
calling, taught a select school in his own house, which was highly
220 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
advantageous to the young people who attended it. There was
later a movement for a select school of advanced grade in the An-
nawan neighborhood, taught by Mr. J. K. Metcalf and others*
and a building was erected about 1845 or 1846.
The Bicknelx. Era
The years 1854 to 1858 constitute a period of special intel-
lectual activity in the Rehoboth schools. The entire town felt
the thrill of a new literary impulse, and youthful minds and hearts
were stirred with high resolves as never before nor since. The oc-
casion of this revival of learning was the coming to town of a
tall, athletic youth of nineteen whose every fibre tingled with
enthusiasm. He was Thomas Williams Bicknell of Barrington»
R.I. It was in the autumn of 1853 that John C. Marvel, pruden-
tial committee of district number 7, engaged young Bicknell to
teach the winter term of four months in the '*01d Red School-
house." He was to have twenty-five dollars a month and "board
around." He received his certificate from Rev. C. P. Grosvenor,
chairman of the School Committee, without an examination. He
had the "privilege of warming all the beds in the district and of
assisting in the disposal of all the spareribs, sausages and mince-
pies between Dea. Josephus Smith's and John Hicks' on the
south and the hospitable mansions of Otis Goff, Dea. Brown,
Nelson Goff, and others on the north." The "Old Red" was well
filled with scholars. Dea. E. A. Brown sent three, including Ed-
ward, afterwards a distinguished lawyer. The Hortons sent six,
one of whom, Jeremiah, became Mayor of Newport, R.I., and
another, Henry, represented Rehoboth in the State Legislature.
The Luthers sent two fine scholars, William H. and Lydia J.
Otis Goff sent three, and Nelson Goff sent his son George Nelson
who was to be state senator from Rehoboth. The school, a live
one, fed from a live wire, led the van, with the Blanding School
a close second. Its teacher was Amelia D. Blanding, who after-
wards fell in love with and married the young schoolmaster from
Rhode Island. At the close of the term Mr. Bicknell returned to
his class in Amherst College, but the next winter he was back
again in the "Old Red" with a four months' contract and with
interest unabated. No sooner had the term closed than he opened
a private school in the same place in April, 1855, with forty pupils.
These seven months with those of the winter before won the young
Ih.s. IIIOMAS HII.I.IAMS mc KNKM,. 1.1-1).
Mks. AMKI.IA ]>. (itl.ANDlNC) IIICKXKM.
EDUCATION IN REHOBOTH 221
teacher much local fame, and visitors flocked from far and near
to see the wheels of learning spin. Of this experience he writes:
"My pupils were my companions out of school and I was their
playmate, while in the schoolroom I never failed to receive their
unbounded respect.*' The term closed in June with an exhibition
in the town hall. The following year, from August, 1855, to Aug-
ust, 1856, Mr. Bicknell spent in the West and taught in Elgin,
Illinois. But in September, 1856, he was back once more in old
Rehoboth at the call of Mrs. Deacon Brown, and started a select
school in the Congregational vestry which opened with fifty pu-
pils. The tuition was from three to six dollars for a twelve weeks*
term. Pupils of all grades came from Rehoboth, Dighton, Norton,
Swansea, Seekonk, East Providence and other towns. The ad-
vanced students took Algebra, Geometry, Book-keeping, Latin
and Greek with the usual etceteras of a high-school. As there
were numerous classes, Mr. Bicknell was assisted by Simeon Hunt
(later a physician) and Amelia D. Blanding. Special literary
exercises were held every Friday, and a paper edited by the pupils
was read. The interest was universal and there was talk of erect-
ing a High-school building if Mr. Bicknell would promise to stay.
No sooner was this term ended than he was engaged to teach
for the third time, the winter term in the "Old Red," which was
filled to overflowing. After four months here, he went directly
to the Congregational vestry again and l)egan another select
school with advanced studies. This was in April, 1857. He
taught this term of twelve weeks and another in the autumn of
sixteen weeks, when the number of pupils reached seventy-three.
Fifteen of them had been teachers, and they made the school earn-
est, eflScient and successful. "We all lived, worked and loved as
a family of brothers and sisters. On the playground as in the
schoolroom each recognized his place and relation and sought the
individual in the common good."
At a great public exhibition in the meeting-house, which closed his
labors in Rehoboth, Mr. Bicknell was presented by his pupils with
a beautiful quarto Bible in an eloquent speech by Edward P.Brown.
Mr. Bicknell's work in the Rehoboth schools covers, all told,
two full years of fifty week seach, a period never to be forgotten by
those who shared its privileges. He left to complete at Brown Uni-
versity the course which he had begun at Amherst College in 1853.
After this the High School was continued at Rehoboth Village
222 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
for a time, taught by Edwin Greene and Randall White, both
from Thetford Academy, Vt., who were followed by Ebeneser
Cay and others; but the climax had been reached, the number
fell off and the interest waned.
Some of the more prominent of Mr. Bicknell's pupils, in ad-
dition to those already named, were Darius and Lyman Goff of
Pawtucket, distinguished in the business world, Frank M. Bird,
prominent citizen of Canton. Several were in the Civil War, —
Francis A. Bliss, Quartermaster-Sergeant; Edward P. Brown,
promoted to the rank of Major, James P. Brown, and Howard
Drown, both killed in battle. Mark O. Wheaton served through
the war, as did William H. Luther, Sergeant, also for many years
town clerk; Charles Perry, representative to the Massachusetts
General Court; Maria Lewis (Mrs. Man(*hester), organizer and
leader of reforms in Providence, R.L; Elizal)eth B. Pierce, queen
among teachers, and other successful teacrhers as well as men of
affairs in various communities. One result of this educational
awakening was that several young men went to study at the Thet-
ford Academy, Vermont, under the instruction of Dr. Hiram Or-
cutt, a noted educator. These were: Francis A. Bliss, William
H. Luther, William Cole, Stephen Moulton, Otis Horton, and EJd-
ward P. Brown.
The Conbgudatign Experiment
In projecting the first Antiquarian Hall in 1885, Mr. Tilton, at
that time chairman of the School Conunittee, cherished the idea
that better privileges might be given the children of the near-by
districts by bringing them together into a central school better
equipped and graded. To this end the building was planne<l to
include a large schoolroom with a recitation room o])ening out
of it on one side and the Blanding library on the other. These
schoolrooms were well ventilated and ec|uipped with modern
furnishings, — desks, blackboards, maps, etc., and first-class teach-
ers placed in charge.
Arrangements were perfected to take the children to and fro
each day in safety and comfort. Mr. P. K. Wilmarth purchased
an ample barge for his neighborhood, which he drove himself and
took much pains to promote the enterprise; others co-operated,
and the children of four districts were brought together: those of
the Village, the Annawan, the Blanding, and the Bliss districts.
EDUCATION IN REHOBOTH 223
The term began in Septx?nihcr, 1885, with Miss E. B. Pierce as
principal and Miss Laura A. Hardy, assistant. The following or
winter term, 1885-6 was taught by Mr. John Barrett, now Direc-
tor-General of the Pan-American Union at Washington, D.C. The
plan was working well and there was every reason to expect suc-
cess — except one — the people as a whole were not ready for the
change. They preferred to have their children gathered in the
small schoolhouses of their own neighborhood, and some admitted
that they wanted their share of the school money spent within
the districts, thus giving employment to young teachers and saving
tlie board and wood money to the district. Petitions were cir-
culated to return to the old way. The Committee and the friends
of the movement still hoped to stem the opposition, but the matter
was made an issue in the election of a new School Committee,
and Mr. Tilton was retired, eighty-nine to seventy-eight, March
1, 1880, and the old order wjis resumed.
A convincing view of the "Central School," as it was designated,
including teachers and pupils standing in front of the hall, may
be seen on another page. The friends of the movement, loth to
turn back, maintained a private school at the hall for a number of
years. Thirty years have passed and the plan thus contravened
has elsewhere proved its excellence. Desiring to honor the teach-
ers of Rchoboth, past and present, we have introduced the names
and faces of a goodly number in this history.*
Here may be mentioned an enterprise of some educational
value and in many ways a help to the communal life of the town, —
the establishment of the Rehohoth Townsmutij an eight-page
weekly paper published by Perry and Barnes of North Attle-
borough. There were several correspondents representing different
parLs of the town, who sent their news items each week. The
first issue was Saturday, Dec. 5, 1885, and the last, July 28, 1894,
covering a period of eight years and seven months. The paper
was discontinued for lack of pecuniary support. There is extant
a complete file of the Tovnsman preserved by Mrs. Paschal E.
Wilmarth of Rchoboth.
The Rehoboth Institute for mutual improvement was formed
Nov. 19, 1846: President, Jonathan Wheaton; Secretary, John
C. Marvel. Meetings were held on Thursday evenings, sometimes
^ Three groups with seventeen teachers in each group.
224 HISTORY OP REHOBOTH
in the school-houses. Rev. John C. Paine took a prominent part
in the debates. Number of members thirty-eight.
The Rehouoth Lyceum AssociATiONr was organized in the
Congregational vestry, Dec. 20, 1882, Rev. George H. Tilton.
President and C. C. Viall, Secretary. Meetings were held Friday
evenings, with debates, singing and readings. Practical questions
were discussed relating to Woman Suffrage, Prohibition, the In-
dians, etc. Among the leading debaters were John C. Marvel,
William H. Luther, George H. Tilton, Thomas R. Salsbury and
Charles Perry. Among the singers were C. C. Viall, Edward
Medbury, Charles Perry, Nathan Bowen, Mary B. Goff, Angie
(Bliss) Goff, Hannah (Patten) Goff, and Clarissa Barnaby, reader.
£
S'
J
Ik'
^^^Q
Bl.:.
^^^^
Flos. JOHN COTTON MAFtVKI.
I'usliiiHHier ol Kvholiolli. IK4:i In 181»7.
[•'[lK[)Kk[('K W. MAltVKL
CHAPTER VIII
TEACHERS OF REHOBOTH^
Group I
1. Maria Baker (Rounds) Graves, daughter of Joshua and
Mary Ann (Baker) Rounds, was born March 23, 1856, in Swan-
sea, Mass. Educated in the public schools of Swansea and
Warren High School. Taught in Rehoboth from 1873 to 1888, in
the Long Hill, Hornbine, and Harris Schools. Married Aug. 3,
1886, Zephaniah Waldo, son of Zephaniah and Anna A. Graves.
Has two children: Jennie Louise and Grace May.
2. Alice Augusta Goff, daughter of George Nelson and
Julia Bishop (Horton) Goff, was born in Rehoboth, Aug. 19,
1866. Educated in the Rehoboth public schools and graduated
from the Providence High School with the class of 1886. Took a
course at Providence in kindergarten work. Taught in the Stevens,
Wheeler, Peck, Blanding, and Village Schools of Rehoboth, from
1886 to 1913. Also wrote in Registry of Deeds in Taunton for
several years. Died Dec. 9, 1913.
3. Cleora M. (Perry) Bliss, daughter of Ira and Emily (Reed)
Perry, was born in Rehoboth, Sept. 24, 1857. Educated in the
public schools and Bridgewater Normal School, graduating from
the latter in the class of 1876. Taught the Harris, Stevens and
Perry Schools in Rehoboth, and also taught in Attleborough.
Period of teaching from September, 1875, to March, 1883.
Married James Walter, son of George W. and Betsey (Bo wen)
Bliss, April 19, 1883. Died Oct. 18, 1916.
Three children: Richard, Mildred E. and Warren.
4. Virginia Adelaide Bowen, daughter of Reuben and Sarah
(George) Bo wen, was born in Rehoboth, April 23, 1860. Educated
in the public schools and East Greenwich Academy, Rhode
Island. Taught the Bliss School from 1880 to 1882. Mar-
ried March 2, 1882, Oscar Edward, son of Osborn and Harriet
(Seagraves) Perry, all of Rehoboth.
Children: Edward Bowen, Oscar Seagraves, Ernest George,
Ralph Osborn, Robert Seagraves, Clara Adelaide, Frederick
Nichols, and Harriet Ellen.
5. Ellen Maria (Bowen) Marsh, daughter of Reuben and
Sarah (George) Bowen, was born in Rehoboth April 11, 1843.
Educated in the public schools and the Bicknell High School.
Graduated from Day's Academy in Wrentham in 1860. Taught
^The serial numbers here correspond to the numbers of the portraits in each
group.
LttS)
15
226 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
the Bliss and Annawan Schools in Rehoboth from 1860 to 1863.
Married, July 27» 187 1» George W. Marsh of Providence, R.I.
6. Angeunb Shepherdson (Bliss) Goff» daughter of George
Ellis and Ann M. (Walker) Bliss, was bom in Rehoboth O^
30, 1843. Ekiucated in the public schools and the Bicknell Hi^^
School. Taught nine years in the Rehoboth Schools. Married
June 17, 1868, Henry Childs Goff, son of George E. and Maria
(Goff) Goff.
7. Deught Carpenter (Reed) MacNbil, daughter of Gut-
tavus and Electa (Miller) Reed, was bom Feb. 14, 1856, in Reho-
both. Educated in the Rehoboth schools and also received private
instruction. Taught thirty-five years, beginning in 1874, and re-
signing in 1909. Taught the Horton and Harris Schools, con-
tinuing in the latter for twenty-five years. Married, May 2, 191 1»
Thomas, son of James MacNeil.
8. Harriet Ameua (Horton) Carpenter, daughter of Tamer-
line and Amanda (Walker) Horton, was bom in Uehoboth, Dec.
29, 1839. Mrs Carpenter was educated in the public schools of
her native town and attended every term of the private school
taught by Thomas W. Bicknell. She taught the Blanding, An-
nawan, and Oak Swamp Schools in town, and also taught in Dif^h-
ton. Married James Perry Carpenter, son of Nathan and Mina
(Perry) Carpenter, Aug. 14, 1862.
Children: Louis Francis, Flora Amanda, Clara Amelia, and
George William.
9. EuzABETH Besayade Pierce. (See sketch in Biographical
chapter.)
10. Euzabeth Martin (Carpenter) Goff, daughter of Dewitt
Clinton Carpenter and Vasliti (Carpenter) Carpenter, was bom in
Rehoboth Oct. 14, 1863. Educated in the public schools of Reho-
both. Taught the Willis and Blanding Schools in town from 1883
to 1890. Also taught in Scekonk. Married, May 1, 1890, Albert
Carpenter Goff, son of George Nelson and Julia Bbhop (Horton)
Goff.
Children: Clinton Nelson, Annie Carpenter, Eleanor Elizabeth,
and Royal Bishop.
11. Mary Bullock Goff, daughter of Otis and Cynthia
(Smith) Goff, was born in Rehoboth, Aug. 9, 1843. Educated in
the Rehoboth Schools and attended every term of the Bicknell
High School. Taught from 1861 to 1885, mostly in the public
schools of Rehoboth, including the Village School, in district
number 7. Was organist in the Village Church for more than
forty years. Was a good singer and very helpful in the choir.
She traveled abroad extensively with her cousin, Mrs. Sarah
Steele. Died June 6, 1915.
KEIKHIOTIl TKACtlKltS. (ir»<t|< 1
ClIiirSTOl'HElt C. VIAl-I,
Svboul Cunimillec
THE TEACHERS OF REHOBOTH 227
12. Amanda Maria (Horton) Brown, daughter of Tamerline
and Amanda (Walker) Horton, was bom in Rehoboth, July 24,
1837. Educated in the Rehoboth schools and attended every term
of the Bicknell High School. Taught several terms in the Long
HiU Scliool, and also in Dighton. Married July 12, 1860, Arnold
DeForest Brown, son of Eleazer and Charlotte Wright (Peck)
Brown.
Children: Walter DeForest and Cora.
13. Amelia Anna (Horton) Carpenter, daughter of Greorce
Henry and Charlotte Anna (Goff) Horton, was born in Rehobom»
Aug. 18, 1872. Was educated in the public schools and the
Providence Normal School. Began teaching in 1890. Taught
in the Hornbine, Wheeler, and Village Schools, also in See-
konk. Married Oct. 27, 1898, Edwin Stanton Carpenter, son
of Thomas Williams and Mary W. (Seagraves) Carpenter.
One son, Earle Stanton Carpenter, born Dec. 26, 1902.
14. Clara George (Boweu) Viall, daughter of Reuben and
Sarah (George) Bowen, was born in Rehoboth Feb. 28, 1855.
Educated in the Rehoboth schools and at the Mount Pleasant
Academy in Providence, R.I. Taught from 1876 to 1881, in the
BlLss, Peck, and Annawan Schools. Married, April 14, 1881,
Christopher Carpenter, son of Samuel and Mary A. (Kent) Viall.
Children: Annie George, and Mary Adelaide.
15. Sarah Murray (Blanding) Bowen, daughter of James and
Elizabeth (Carpenter) Blanding, was born in Rehoboth June 21,
1827. Educated in the Blanding School, public and private.
Taught in Swansea. Married, Feb. 23, 1865, Reuben, son of
Epliraim and Rhoda (Bates) Bowen. Died Dec. 31, 1911.
Children: William Blanding, Elizabeth Carpenter, Murray
James, and Susan Augusta.
16. Catherine Walton (Bowen) Earle, daughter of Reuben
and Sarah (George) Bowen, was born in Rehoboth, March 24,
1850. Educated in the Rehoboth Schools and the Bridgewater
Normal School. Taught from 1870 to 1877 in the Long Hill and
Village Schools, and in Seekonk. Married, June 15, 1875, Joseph
Franklin Earle, son of John and Rebecca (Horton) Earle.
Children: Edward Franklin, Howard Walton, Nellie Maria,
and John William.
17. Flora Amanda (Carpenter))McKECHNiE, daughter of James
P. and Harriet A. (Horton) Carpenter, was born in Rehoboth,
Jan. 7, 1866. Attended the Blanding School, taught by Elizabeth
B. Pierce, who was her only teacher. Taught from 1884 to 1896
in the Oak Swamp, Palmer's River, and Willis Schools. Married
Dougald McKechnie, Dec. 29, 1898.
228 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
Group II.
1. Hannah S. (Horton) Fisher, daughter of Henry Slade and
Arabella (Simmons) Horton, was bom in Rehoboth in 1842. Ed-
ucated in the public schools of Rehoboth and taught in the An-
nawan School, also several years in Attleborough. Married.
June 10, 1877, John, son of Emulous and Cordelia Fisher of At-
tleborough.
Twin children: Gertrude and Grace.
2. Martha Smith (Nash) Bowbn, daughter of Daniel and
Amanda (Goff) Nash, was born in Rehoboth, March 13, 1832.
Taught several years in Rehoboth, in the Bliss, Peck, Willis,
and other schools. Was chosen on the School Committee, March,
1880, and held the office two years when she moved to Seekonk,
where she died in 1895. Mrs. Bowen was much interested in
education, a great reader, and in many ways a superior woman.
Married Nelson, son of Palman and Mary Bowen of Seekonk.
3. Ethel Louise Horton, daughter of Josephus Wheaton and
Mary Emeline (Bosworth) Horton, was born in Rehoboth, July
23, 1883. Educated in the Rehoboth schools, the Taunton High
School, and the Hyannis Normal School. Taught the Palmer's
River School four years, beginning in 1902, during which time
the new school-house was built. Has since taught in the Oak
Swamp School.
4. Martha Evelyn Dean, daughter of Benjamin and Polly
French (Cole) Dean, was born in Rehoboth, July 23, 1849. Ed-
ucated in the Rehoboth schools and attended the East Green-
wich Academy, Rhode Island. Taught many years in the Stevens,
Bliss, Willis, Wheeler, Peck, Village, Annawan, Oak Swamp, and
Palmer's River Schools, also in Attleborough, Seekonk, and West
Mansfield.
5. Alma Evelyn (Smith) Lewis, daughter of Remember and
Sarah Bliss (Carpenter) Smith, was born in Rehoboth, June 20,
1854. Educated in the Rehoboth schools and attended Bristol
Academy in Taunton. Taught from 1874 to 1886, the Wheeler,
Long Hill, Annawan, Stevens and Perry Schools. Married, April
13, 1884, Albert R., son of William and Mary (Cole) Lewis.
One son: Maynard Carpenter l^ewis.
G. Lephe Jane (Peck) Moorhouse, daughter of Royal Car-
penter and Ix)is M. (Drown) Peck, was born in Rehol)otli, Sept.
26, 1885. Educated in the Reho))oth schools and attended Bris-
tol Academy in Taunton. Taught the Bliss, Wheeler, Long Hill,
and Horton Schools. Married, Oct. 16, 1887, John, son of James
and Mary Moorhouse.
Children : Lephe Matilda and Lois Jane.
7. Martha Adaline Cole, daughter of Danforth L. and
ItKHUItUTII TEACHEltS. Group 11
ciiAitms I'tirtitv
THE TEACHERS OF REHOBOTH 229
Adaline (Tallman) Cole, was born in Providence, R.I. Educated
in the public schools of Providence, graduating from the High
School with the class of 1890. Came to Rehoboth to live in 1908
and becan teaching the Bliss School in 1909, which position she
still holds.
8. Harriet Emma (Perry) Rounds, daughter of Osborn and
Harriet (Seagraves) Perry, was born in Rehoboth, Nov. 30, 1864.
Attended the Rehoboth schools, the Pawtucket Grammar School
and graduated from the Providence Normal School with the class
of 1874. Taught the Bliss and Stevens Schools in Rehoboth
from 1874 to 1878. Married, Nov. 16, 1880, Eugene B., son of
Joseph and Elizabeth A. (Carey) Rounds.
Children: Hattie A., Edith and Ethel (twins), Elizabeth, Ger-
trude and Dorothea.
9. Frances Maria (Carpenter) Buss, daughter of Ira and
Mary Ann (Hall) Carpenter, was born in Rehoboth, Nov. 16,
1840. Educated in the public schools of Rehoboth, the Bicknell
High School, also the High School in Fall River. Taught in the
Perry, Harris and Stevens Schools from 1860 to 1864. Also
taught in East Providence and Seekonk. Married, Dec. 24, 1867,
Francis Abiah, son of Abiah and Julia Ann (Sturtevant) Bliss.
Died Aug. 27, 1914.
Children: Albert Abiah, Martha Bird, Adeline Hall, Mary
Carpenter, Thomas Kent, and Charles Sturtevant.
10. Sara Maria Cusiiing, daughter of Edwin F. and Sara
Bradford (Medbury) Cushing, was born in Rehoboth, March 14,
1858. Educated in the public schools of Rehoboth. Taught the
Willis School from 1876 to 1882. Married, Oct. 13, 1882, Samuel
M., son of William and Laura J. Atkinson of Providence, R.I.
Children: Mabel Laura and Emma Bradford.
11. Harriet Amelia (Carpenter) Reed, daughter of Thomas
Williams and Mary Walker (Seagraves) Carpenter, was born in
Rehoboth, Aug. 25, 1856. Educated in the Rehoboth schools and
the Pawtucket High School. Taught the I/ong Hill, Oak Swanp»
Horton, Peck, and Bliss Schools from 1873 to 1879. Married,
Jan. 6, 1880, Almon Augustus, son of Dea. Gustavus and Electa
(Miller) Reed. Died March 22, 1910.
Children: Annie Brown, Marion Carpenter, John Leonard,
Almon Augustus, Helen Electa, Mary Delight and Amelia.
12. Martha Bird Bliss, daughter of Francis Abiah and Frances
(Carpenter) Bliss, was born in Rehoboth, Aug. 28, 1871. Educated
in the Rehoboth schools and the High School in Scranton, Penn.
Taught three years in the Bliss School, beginning in 1891, two
years at the Dorchester Academy, Mcintosh, Georgia, and in the
Perry School in Rehoboth until 1909, when she resigned to care
for her aged parents.
230 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
13. Bessie Ambua (Carpenter) Carraher» daughter of Ira
Winsor and Mary T. (Goff) Carpenter, was bom at Uie Car-
penter homestead on the Bay State Road in Rehoboth, Feb. 16»
1882. Educated in the Rehoboth schools and attended the Bristol
Academy from 1897 to 1899. Taught the Wheeler, Hombine,
and Annawan Schools from March 1900 to March 1907. Married,
March 19, 1907, James Thomas, son of Michael and Katherine
(Smith) Carraher.
14. Charlotte Catherine (Carruthers) Thatcher, daughter
of Alexander and Sophie (Schultz) Carruthers, was bom in Re-
hoboth, June 26, 1886. Educated in the Rehoboth schools and
received private instruction from her mother. Taught the Oak
Swamp and Horton Schools from 1904 to 1906. Married, June 27,
1906, Frank, son of William H. and Ella (Horton) Thatcher.
Two children: Anthony Carruthers and Elizabeth May.
15. Lydia Jane (Luther) Peck, daughter of Rhodolphus and
Lephe (Goff) Luther, was bom in Rehoboth, Nov. 30, 1836. Ed-
ucated in the public schools of Rehoboth and attended every term
of the Bickneli High School. Taught the Horton School two terms
in 1856 and also taught in Seekonk. Married, Jan. 1, 1858, Gus-
tavus Brutus, son of Cyrus and Rebecca (Sherman) Peck.
One child: Ella Rebecca Peck.
16. Ellen Frances (Dean) Wilmarth, daughter of Benjamin
and Polly French (Cole) Dean, was born in liehoboth, Jan. 2,
1843. Educated in the public and private schools of her native
town. Taught the Willis School in 1860 and 1861. Also Uusht
in Dighton. Married, May 1, 1862, Paschal Elery, son of Paschal
E. and Abigail Maria (Day) Wilmarth.
Children: Abbie M., Wilson Elery, Agustus Day, and Grace
May.
17. Abbie (Wilmarth) Marvel, daughter of Paschal Elery
and Ellen F. (Dean) Wilmarth, was born in Rehoboth, April 11,
1865. Was a pupil of Elizabeth B. Pierce for eleven years, and at
the Bristol Academy in Taunton one year. Has the record of
being neither absent nor tardy for ten successive years. Taught
the Blanding, Willis, Annawan, Village, Oak Swamp, Wheeler,
Long Hill, and Ilornbine Schools. Married, Nov. 28, 1899, John
F., son of John C. and Frances A. (Peck) Marvel.
One child: Ruth Wilmarth Marvel.
Group III
1. Mary A. (Remington) Blanding was the daughter of Oliver
and Electa Ann (Bosworth) Remington; was born in Providence,
R.I., Aug. 20, 1828, and died there Nov. 25, 1905. She taught in
the Horton School, district number 9, in 1845. She was married
to William Bullock Blanding in Providence, Nov. 13, 1851, by
KKIIOIHITll TBACHEKS. Group III
L
f%
1
mnii ^B 1 u'
=:»^' ,^ lre™s=^^--^j.f'psFd^^
y . . . 'M'^'^y^'^^^M.i!^
TtiK "m.i> ino
Dialriirt Nil. 7.
>■■ sciiixn.rnnisK
ItcliolHith VilluK*-.
lll-:iIC)lt(>'l'll Ml.l.ACK
THE TEACHERS OF REHOBOTH 231
Rev. Henry Waterman, Rector of St. Stephen's Church. She had
one son» William Oliver Blanding, who nas four sons and three
grandsons.
2. Mary Walker (Seagraves) Carpenter, daughter of Rev.
Edward and Harriet (Walker) Seagraves, was born in Scituate,
Mass., March 31, 1831. Educated in the public schools of Prov-
idence, R.I., and the Golden Rule Institute in Lansingburg, N.Y.
Taught the Bliss and Annawan Schools in Rehoboth from 1851
to 1853. Married Thomas Williams, son of Asaph and Caroline
(Carpenter) Carpenter, Sept. 11, 1853. She died July 7, 1907.
Children: Mary Ella, Harriet Amelia, Frederick Williams*
Cynthia Anna, Chloe Remington, Thomas Newton, William Sea-
graves, Lillian Borden, and Edwin Stanton.
3. Marion Carpenter (Reed) Goff, daughter of Almon Augus-
tus and Harriet Amelia (Carpenter) Reed, was born in Rehoboth,
Aug. 9, 1887. Educated in the Rehoboth public schools and State
Normal School at Rhode Island. Taught the Oak Swamp School
from spring, 1904, to June, 1906. Also taught in Swansea. Mar-
ried Clifford Arnold Goff, son of Charles Warren and Ella Brad-
ford (Nichols) Goff, Jan. 28, 1909.
4. Caroline Frances (Martin) Wilbur, was born in Swansea,
Mass., Sept. 30, 1832. She was the daughter of Darius and Ardelia
S. (Cornell) Martin of Swansea. Taught her first school in the
Horton District of Rehoboth in 1848-9, receiving $1.75 per week
and **boarded round." She married Dr. Leonidas F. Wubur and
moved to Honeoye, N.Y., where she still lives in her 85th year.
Of her five children, four lived to maturity: Clarence, Nellie*
Maud and llollis. Clarence was a missionary in Central America.
HolHs is National Chairman of the Y.M.C.A., at Shanghai, China.
5. WiLUAM L. Pierce, son of Jabcz and Abby (Harlow) Pierce,
was born in Rehoboth, Aug. 23, 1837. Educated in the public
schools of Rehoboth and Pierce Academy at Middleboro, Mass.
He taught the Hornbine, Horton, and Village Schools in Reho-
both, also taught in Somerset and Swansea. He married Sarah
E. Wright, April 11, 1861, in Swansea. He was on the School
Committee in Rehoboth twenty-one years, which office he held at
the time of his death, Aug. 16, 1885.
Three children: John W., Charles L., and Addie.
0. John W. Pierce. (See Biographical Chapter.)
7. Polly French (Cole) Dean, daughter of Nathan and Polly
(French) Cole, was born in Attleborough, Mass., March 30, 1813.
Educated in the public schools of Pawtucket, R.I., and attended
the Seminary at Warren, R.I., one year. Taught the Perry,
Bliss, Hornbine, Peck, and Stevens Schools in Rehoboth. Mar-
232 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
ried Benjamin, son of Abijah and Polly (Rounds) Dean» Jan.
1, 1841. Died June 17, 1896.
Children: Ellen F., Emily M.» Benjamin Warren, Martha E.,
Nathan W.» and Anna M.
8. Emily Maria (Dean) Parmenter» daughter of Benjamin
and Polly F. (Cole) Dean» was bom in Rehoboth, Feb. 15, 1844.
Educated in the public schools. Taught the Stevens School
1862-3, also in Taunton and Attleborough, Mass. Married Ed-
ward D.» son of Draper and Florilla (Bliss) Parmenter of Attle-
borough, Nov. 30, 1865. Died Feb. 15, 1886.
Children: Ma^ French, Frederick Warren, Emma Louise»
Charles Edward, George Dexter, Florilla Bliss, Mabel Emily.
9. John Barrett, diplomatist, son of Charles and Caroline
Sanford Barrett, was born Nov. 28, 1866, at Grafton, Vt. He
graduated from the Worcester Academy in Massachusetts in 1886»
received his degree of A.B. from Dartmouth College in 1880, and
the honorary degree of LL.D., in 1899. He taught in the GofF
Memorial building in Rehoboth during the winter of 1885-6, and
later at the Hopkins Academy in Oakland, Cal. Since 1907 he
has held the p)osition of Director-General of the Pan-American
' Union, having its headquarters at Washington, D.C.
10. Julia Maria (Go(T) Moulton, daughter of Henry B. and
Sally Briggs (Goff) Goff, was born in Seekonk, Aug. 1, 1841.
Educated in tlie public schools of Seekonk. Taught the Village
School in 1863. Married James Francis Moulton, son of James
and Abigail Whipple (Carpenter) Moulton, April 7, 1864. Mrs.
Moulton died Nov. 2, 1909.
Children: Herbert Elmer, Lizzie Frances, James Henry, and
Frank Dexter.
11. Grace (Darling) Bowen, daughter of David Darius and
Hannah (Jones) Darling, was born March 1, 1845, at Hartford »
Conn. Educated in the public schools of Attleborough and
graduated from its High School with the class of 1863. Taught
the Wheeler School in 1871-2. Married in 1872, William Henry
Bowen, by whom she had one daughter, Emily Bradford. She also
had a daughter, Hannah Patten, by a former marriage.
12. Oscar Edward Perry, son of Osborn and Harriet (Sea-
^aves) Perry, was born in Rehoboth, Dec. 3, 1857. Educated
m the public schools and Phillips Academy, and graduated from
Harvard College with the class of 1883. Taught the Bliss School
in 1873. Superintendent of the Meter Department for the Nar-
ragansett Electric Lighting Co., of Providence, R.I. Married
Virginia Adelaide, daughter of Reuben and Sarah (George) Bowen,
March 17, 1882.
Children: Edward Bowen, Oscar Seagraves, Ernest George,
THE TEACHERS OF REHOBOTH 233
Ralph Osborn, Robert Seagraves, Clara Adelaide, Frederick
Nichols, and Harriet Ellen.
13. Joseph Allen Carpenter, son of Ira Winsor and Mary T.
(Goff) Carpenter, was born on the home place in Rehoboth, March
27, 1880. Educated in the Annawan School, Goff Memorial Hall,
and graduated from Taunton High School with the class of 1900.
Taught the Stevens School in 1900-1. Bookkeeper for the Nar-
ragansett Milling Co. until 1914, when he was chosen auditor.
14. Mary Emeline Carpenter (Martin) Horton, daughter
of Edward Irving and Sybil (Haskins) Martin, was born April 3,
1838, in Taunton, Mass. Educated in the public schools of Lowell,
Mass., and the Bicknell private school in Rehoboth. Tausht the
Peck, Wheeler, Long Hill, and Annawan Schools in Rehoboth
from 1854 to 1861. Married Nathan Bradford Horton, son of
Henry Slade and Arabella (Simmons) Horton, of Rehoboth, Dec.
7, 1861. Died in East Providence, April 22, 1888.
Children: Mary Isabclle, Edward Henry, Alice Harriet, and
Herbert Bradford.
15. Evelyn Bradford (Carpenter) Mansfield, daughter of
Ira Winsor and Mary Tiffany (Goff) Carpenter, was born at the
Carpenter homestead, Jan. 23, 1871. Educated in the public
schools of Rehoboth, Bristol Academy of Taunton, and attended
the school in Goff Memorial Hall. Taught the Wheeler and Anna-
wan Schools from 1889 to 1899. Also taught in Seekonk, Mass.
Married Lucius Risley Mansfield, son of William and Augusta
(Risley) Mansfield, Dec. 27, 1899.
Children: William Noel, Stanley Carpenter, Mary Augusta,
Robert Risley, and Fanny Bliss.
16. Elmie Gardner (Goff) Fuller, daughter of Bradford
Gardner and Evelyn Milton (Goff) Goff, was born in Rehoboth,
May 9, 1872. Educated in the public schools, the private school
in Goff Memorial Hall, and Bristol Academy in Taunton, Mass.
Taught from 1889 to 1901 in the Oak Swamp, Horton, Bliss, Bland-
ing and Long Hill Schools. Married Charles Henry, son of Noah
and Abby (Horton) Fuller, Dec. 18, 1901.
Children: Charlotte Bradford and Leonard Goff Fuller.
17. Hattie Evelyn (Goff) Viall, daughter of Bradford Gard-
ner and Evelyn Milton (Goff) Goff, was bom in Rehoboth, Dec. 15,
1881. Educated in the public schools of Rehoboth and graduated
from the Attleborough High School with the class of 1900. Taught
the Hornbine and Long Hill Schools from fall of 1900 to winter
of 1902. Married William Carpenter Viall, son of Charles F.
and Mary Ella (Carpenter) Viall, Dec. 10, 1902.
Children: Bradford, Elizabeth, Harriet, Carlton, and Charles
Carpenter.
CHAPTER IX
REHOBOrH ANTIQUARIAN SCXJIETY
In calling upon the families of his parish, Rev. Geo. H. Tilton,
pastor of the Congregational Church, was impressed with the num-
ber of old relics he saw in their homes, and on the second day of
January, 1884, seeing an old loom at Mr. Geo. N. GofF's, he said
to Mrs. GoflF, "We must have an Antiquarian Society." He at
once began to raise money for a building in shares of ten dollars
each. On reaching $1,500, Mr. Darius Goff of Pawtucket was
appealed to and promised a like amount while suggesting further
effort. Thus encouraged, Mr. Tilton brought the pledges up to
$4,000, which Mr. Goff promptly duplicated.
The first meeting of the stockholders was held in the vestry of
the Congregational Church, March 5, 1884, when the following
communication from Mr. Goff was presented and accepted: —
"If the inhabitants of the town will increase their subscription
up to four thousand dollars, I will raise mine up to the same
amount, and in addition, give one acre of land to erect the build-
ing thereon, the location of which shall be the old homestead of
my father, and a further condition that five gentlemen shall be
elected as trustees, one for five years, one for four years, one for
three years, one for two years, and one for one year, who, with the
president and secretary of the society shall erect said building
and have the whole care and management of the property. After
one year, one trustee shall be elected annually; and furthermore,
I reserve the right to name three of the five trustees, and also to
approve the plan of the building. At least three thousand dollars
of the four thousand subscribed outside of mine, shall be paid into
the treasury before I am called upon. When that is done I shall
be ready to pay mine in full. This offer will hold good for sixty
days from date."
At this meeting the following officers were elected : President,
Rev. George H. Tilton; Vice-Presidents, Esek H. Pierce and Fran-
cis A. Bliss; Secretary, Wm. H. Marvel; Corresponding Secre-
tary, Rev. Geo. H. Tilton; Treasurer, Wm. W. Blanding; Trus-
tees: for five years, George N. GofI, four years, Esek H. Pierce,
(tS4|
THE REHOBOTH ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY 235
three yeara. Paschal E. Wilmartb, two years, Charles Perry, one
year, George II. Horton, — the last three named by Mr. Goff. By
the conatitution, the President and Secretary are made trustees
ex-officio, thus making the whole board of trustees to consist of
seven persons.
This society was incorporated in 1885, the capital stock not to
exceed $250,000, to be divided into shares of ten dollars each.
THE OLD GOPF INN
It was decided to have a building suitable for an antiquRriao
room, hall, school-room and library.
I«tc in March Mr. Tilton wrote to Hon. Thomas W. Bicknell
of Boston, informing him that a building would be erected with
room for a library and inviting his co-operation.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Bicknell became deeply interested in the
undertaking and wrote in part as follows: —
"We believe that a good library is one of the most valuable
means of education. In order, therefore, to encourage the forma*
tion of a library to be kept in the Goff Memorial, we will donate
five hundred dollars to tlie trustees of the Reht^th Antiquarian
236 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
Society, to be expended by them in the selection of good books»
a large p)ortion of which, let us suggest, shall be chosen with special
reference to the wants of the boys and girls, the young people of
the town. We sincerely hope that others may contribute more
or less freely to this nucleus of a library, and that the annual
supply of books shall keep it fresh and interesting to all readers*
so that the gifts may be a constantly increasing blessing to all who
may enjoy their benefits.
"We have but one request to make in connection with our
humble gift, which we leave for your consideration and decision.
The name of Blanding is one of the oldest and most respectable
of this ancient town. William Blanding was a contributor to
the expenses incurred in carrying on the war with King Philip
of Pokanoket, and for more than two hundred years the name
of the family and the town have been associated.
"'In view of these facts, and that the name may be kept fresh in
the minds of the future dwellers of Rehoboth, yet more especially
for the loving affection we have for the character and memory
of our beloved parents, Christopher and Chloe Blanding, whose
dust sleeps with that of the long line of their kindred in the old
church burial ground on the hill west of Rehoboth Village, we
most respectfully suggest that the permanent name of the library
shall be The Blanding Public Library of Rehoboth, Mass."
This generous offer was gratefully accepted by the Society and
the Blanding Library was o|>enc(l to the public Feb. 26, 1886»
with about six hundred and twenty-five volumes.
On the spot selected by Mr. G off as the site of the new structure,
the Old Goff Inn was still standing. Here Mr. Goff was born and
the land upon which it stood had been in the Goff family for a
century and a half. The picture of the old inn on another page
shows that additions had been made to the original house, which
was one of the noted Iiostelries of colonial days. It was torn
down, not without regret, in April, 1884, and in Mny ground
was broken for the new structure. Owing to certain legal diflS-
culties the work was delayed until fall, when the cellar was con-
structed.
The contract was signed Sept. 8, 1884, by Lewis T. Hoar's
Sons of Warren, R.I., and by the committee on contract, G. N.
Goff, Charles Perry and Esek H. Pierce. The architects were
THE l-lllST GOFf MBMOItlAL
Dcdicalcl May II), l.tlCi. IJcslroycd by liglitniiiR July 7. I!U I.
THE NEW GOFF MEMORIAL
[)eiJi<-at«l May 10. 1015.
TllK VMXAGI-: FACTOllY. 1809-1898
THE REHOBOTH ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY 237
William R. Walker & Son, of Providence. The chief dimensions
of the building were 38i ft. by 60i ft. On the first floor were
the school-room, library, and antiquarian room. The second
floor consisted of the hall which was amply lighted, and very at-
tractive.
On its walls were hung portraits of Darius GofT, Rev. Geo. H.
Tilton and others.
The building was practically finished in the fall of 1885, having
cost S 14,000. On the front of the tower was a bronze tablet which
bore the inscription,
"GOFF MEMORIAL, 1884."
The school-room was opened for a public school in the autumn
of 1885, and was so used for two terms. Afterwards a private
school was taught for several terms.
The antiquarian room in the northeast corner was large and
attractive. Much time and labor were expended on this depart-
ment, especially by the President, Rev. Geo. II. Tilton, who went
from house to house soliciting and collecting the relics. The
Secretary, Wm. H. Marvel, and the custodian, Wm. H. Luther
(who was also librarian), were effective helpers. Many of the cit-
izens took a deep interest in the growing collection. Only a few
of the articles donated can here be mentioned for lack of space,
although others may be equally deserving.
1. Samples of cloth woven at the Orleans Mill at diiferent
times since 1828, preserved by Dea. Benj. Peck.
2. One sewing machine, made in Rehoboth by Wm. A. King.
3. One banner, carried by the Rehoboth Cold Water Army in
1840.
4. One hose-pipe that belonged to the first and last fire-engine
used in Rehoboth.
5. One new model spinning wheel, made by Elder Childs Luther.
6. Patent certificate issued by James Madison to Dexter Wheel-
er of Rehoboth, in 1811.
7. One silk banner formerly owned by the Rehoboth Total
Abstinence Society.
8. One flint-lock musket used by Capt. Stephen Martin in the
Dorr Rebellion.
9. A painting of Leonard Bliss, Jr., donated by Miss Caroline
M. Carpenter.
238 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
10. Two regimental flags and one adjutant's record book of
the Ist Regiment, 2d Brigade, 5th Division of the Massachusetts
Militia, preserved and donated by Col. Lyndal Bowen.
11. One certificate of membership from the Eastern Star Lodge,
No. 1, of Rehoboth, to Joseph Bowen, given Oct. 16, A.D. 1804.
12. '*Herald of (jospel Liberty,'' first religious paper printed in
the United States.
13. Musket, captured from the British during the Revolution-
ary War.
14. Lbt of soldiers in Lieut. Brown's Company, in Col. Car-
penter's regiment, during the Revolution.
15. First warrant issued from the Secretary of State to the
selectmen of Rehoboth, to assess a state tax.
16. The Charter granted by Charles 11 to the Governor of the
Colony of Rhode Island, in 1704.
17. Fac-simile of the "Boston News Letter," the first paper
printed in North America, No. 1, April 17, 1704.
18. Secretary's book, and Constitution book of the Annawan
Lodge, No. 274, 1. O. G. T.
19. Ledger, day book, cash book, time book, sketch book, pat-
tern book, used by the Rehoboth Union Mfg. Co. in 1810.
20. Secretary's report of the meeting of the Rehoboth Union
Library, June y« 2d, 1800.
21. Constitution of the Rehoboth Village Temperance Society,
February, 1834.
22. Secretary's book of the Rehoboth Institute, organized No-
vember 19, 1846.
23. Specimen of silk made in Rehoboth.
24. King Philip's Kettle.
25. Portraits of Dea. Asahel Bliss, Dr. Isaac C. Goff, and Col.
Cyrus M. Wheaton.
26. A copy of Newman's Concordance of the Holy Scriptures,
Cambridge, 1662.
27. A complete set of utensils, used in flax and woolen manu-
facturing, including brake, hatchel, swingling board and knife,
and linen wheel for flax, with cards, large spinning wheel and reel
for wool.
I. rtl'NDLKTS ■>. CUK K ItKKl. ;t. HAND UH)M
4. COW ttV.lAH .',. IIAllltl-:i. (III'IIK
THE BBHOBOTH ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY 239
On the left is the flax u it ii );rown a
with a iinmtrul of Hax between its ponilcruus jbws
"Rwingling boaril," with the "swinfilinR knife" l<
flmx hanging submiaaively over the top; next we :
iwx which supports the "hatchel." throueh whoa
the Rax in drnvn to rid it oF all its "shives '; then
the "little wheel" and is spun into linen thread.
Th« three implements on the rif[ht illustrate the spinning of wool. Tha
wool is first taken between the "cards" lying on the floor, just under the "big
wheel," with a roll oF wool hangjing over them: when carded into these rolu
the wool goes to the "big wheel," where it is spun, and wound oIT aa yarn
on the "reel" at the extreme right.
beaten Sax o
:omb-like rows of teeth
goes to the "diat*B" «n
An exhibition was given at Memorial Hall, April 23. 1886,
illustrating the process of spinning flax and wool by hand. All
the machines representing the flax industry were in operation
together under the direction of Mr. Abiah Bliss, aged eighty-six
years. Capt. George W. Bliss manned the flax brake, and in
spite of his seventy-seven years wielded the ponderous implement
witli deafening and crushing effect. Mr. Baylies Goff, eighty-
seven, handled the swingling knife effectively and sent the "shives"
flying in all directions. Mrs. Hannah Darling sat by the hatchel
and, by drawing the flax through its parallel rows of comb-like
teeth, straightened the fibers for the distaff. Mrs. Abby W. Car-
penter, another octogenarian, skilfully spun the flax from the dis-
taiT upon the linen wheel and produced quite a skein of linea
thread. The spinning of yarn from wool was illusbated by Mrs.
Eliza Goff and Mr. Leonard Peterson. Mr. Peterson carded the
wool into rolls, and Mrs. Goff spun it into yam on the big vbeel
240
HISTORY OP REHOBOTH
and wound it off on the reel. Meanwhile Mr. Abiah Bliss ex-
plained the various steps in handling both flax and wool and passed
samples among the audience for souvenirs.
We give below the names of all who up to the time of dedicating
the hall contributed money to the enterprise. Most of these re-
ceived shares in the stock which gave them the privilege of voting
on all matters relating to the society, one vote being allowed for
each ten-dollar share. A few preferred to give their money out-
right, and whether they took stock or not, or whether their con-
tributions were large or small, they are given an equal and im-
partial recognition in the appended
Names of Original Contributors
Eliza N. Allen
Paschal Allen
Elizabeth M. Anthony
George Baker
John Baker
W. E. Barrett & Co.
Johnstone Black
Abram O. Blanding
William W. Blanding
Francis A. Bliss
Mrs. Hannah Bliss
J. Walter Bliss
Sarah M. Bo wen
William Henry Bowen
George W. Bowen
E. P. Brown
Christopher T. Brown
Amanda M. Brown
J. W. Briggs
Belle H. Bryant
J. A. Buffinton
Albert N. Bullock
Edwin R. Bullock
Nathaniel M. Burr
Samuel O. Case
Samuel O. Case, Jr.
Betsy Carpenter
Dewitt C. Carpenter
James P. Carpenter
Joseph R. Carpenter
Stephen Carpenter
Thomas W. Carpenter
Horace F. Cari>enter
J. Irvin Chaffee
Samuel Chaffee
James Cornell
Capt. Isainh L. Chase
Danfortli L. Cole
Edwin F. Gushing
Daniel N. Davis
Darius B. Davis
John W. Davis
Elislia Davis
John A. Earle
Joseph F. Earle
Oliver Earle
James A. Eddy
Farmers' Club
Peleg E. Francis
Albert C. Goff
Bradford G. Goff
Charles W. Goff
Darius Goff
Ellery L. Goff
Enoch Goff
George Hathaway Goff
George Hiram Goff
George N. Goff
Mrs. Harriet N. Goff
Henry C. Goff
Horace E. Goff
Julia B. Goff
THE REHOBOTH ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY 241
Mary B. GoflF
Simeon GoiT
Zenas H. Goff
Elias Hathaway
Avis Hicks
Nathan £. Hicks
William H. Hopkins
Benjamin Horton
Danforth G. Horton
Dexter W. Horton
Everett S. Horton
Edward H. Horton
George H. Horton
Horton Brothers
Henry T. Horton
John O. Horton
Jeremiah W. Horton
Nathan H. Horton
Nathaniel B. Horton
Tanierline W. Horton
Welcome F. Horton
William B. Horton
William W. Horton
John W. Humphrey
Catherine J. Hunt
Simeon Hunt, M.D.
John Hunt
Williams Lake
Mrs. A. D. Ijockwood and
Daughters
Frank E. Luther
Hale S. liUther
Levi L. Luther
William H. Luther
Ellen M. Marsh
Hezekiah Martin
Jennie P. Martin
Frances A. Marvel
John C. Marvel
William H. Marvel
Albert C. Mason
Ebenezer A. Medbury
Herbert E. Moulton
Horatio N. Moulton
Ellery Millard
Sylvester A. Miller
A. F. C. Monroe
Charles L. Nash
Matthew Patterson
Gustavus B. Peck
James M. Peck
Jethnial Peck
Royal C. Peck
Samuel L. Peck
Charles Perry
Edgar Perry
Elizabeth B. Pierce
Esek H. Pierce
Galen Pierce
Joseph H. Pierce
Samuel L. Pierce
William L. Pierce
David S. Ray
Delight C. Read
Almon A. Reed
Mr. and Mrs. Henry G. Reed
William H. Reed
Samuel Remington
Stephen S. Rich
Ellery Robinson
Thomas R. Salsbury
Charles IL Scott
Henry Slaney
Tristram Thatcher
William Thatcher
Charles L. Thomas
George H. Til ton
Charles F. Viall
John W. Watson
William Walker
Amanda M. Wheaton
Francis J. Wheeler
Jasper W. Wheeler
Cyrenus Wheeler, Jr.
William H. Whitaker
Paschal E. Wilmarth
After the new memorial hall was erected, more than 500 shares
of "new stock" were distributed gratuitously to one hundred or
more citizens, giving each five shares, the Goff brothers retaining
IG
242 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
2,500 shares as a controlling interest in case of emergency. As a
matter of fact, however, the citizen shareholders, old and new
together, have full control of the building.
The Antiquarian Society had its first clam-bake on Tuesday,
Aug. 24, 1886. The tables were spread under the trees in the or-
chard opp)osite the residence of Mr. G. N. GofT. Mr. Darius Goff
and Mr. and Mrs. T. W. Bicknell were among the guests. Sev-
eral hundred people were present. There was music and dancing
in the hall. Mr. Bradford G. Goff superintended the bake and
has continued the same services for thirty-one successive years.
At the second bake, in 1887, plates were laid for eight himdred
guests, in a large, new tent, and the occasion was marred by a
severe thunder-shower. Mrs. Zerviah Gould Mitchell and her
daughters, native Indians from Assonet, were present, with their
friend. General Ebenezer W. Pierce, as guests of the Society.
After this about one thousand tickets were sold each year for
a number of years until the demand was so great that the largest
tent in New England was secured, under which fourteen hundred
people were fed at fifty cents a plate. Hundreds more were pro-
vided for by food sold at tables outside. In 1915 a permanent
frame-work was erected over which a canvas roof is stretched as
occasion requires.
Some idea of the extent of this annual festival may be had
from the following statement on the card of notification for the
year 1914: "Bake consists of seventy bushels of clams, one hun-
dred lbs. of fish, eight barrels of sweet potatoes, six hundred lbs.
of onions, one hundred lbs. of |>ork (to make the dressing), two
hundred lbs. of sausage, and fifteen hundred ears of corn.'* And
we may add about one hundred and twenty-five watermelons.
Music is furnished by a paid orchestra.
The Goff Memorial Hall was dedicated with impressive cere-
monies on Monday, May 10, 1886, which was Mr. Goff's seventy-
seventh birthday anniversary. There was a large concourse of
people, several hundred coming in carriages from the neighboring
towns, as it was yet ten years before the electric cars entered the
place.
On the platform were seated the distinguished guests and speak-
ers of the day.
The exercises began with singing '"Master Great whose Power
Almighty," by the Harmonic Male Quartette of Attleborough.
I>AUII S COFf
THE REHOBOTII ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY 243
The President of the Antiquarian Society, Rev. Geo. H. Tilton*
then gave the following
Address op Welcome
"Members and Friends of the Rehoboth Antiquarian Society:
We are glad to welcome you, as you have come hither from so
many different places on this auspicious day. The dedication of
this goodly building marks an important era in the history of this
ancient town.
The Rehoboth Antiquarian Society was organized on the 5th
of March, 1884. The trustees entered at once upon the work of
erecting a suitable building for the purposes of the Society. This
building was completed in the autumn of 1885. A charter had
been granted by the General Court in March of the same year.
The object of the Society may be expressed in four particulars.
In the first place there is the antiquarian department. This was
the germ of the whole enterprise, the nucleus around which all the
other ideas have clustered. It occurred to some of us that this
old town was rich in historical and antiquarian relics which ought
to be brought together and preserved. It was this object that gave
the name to the Society. W^e have already a somewhat valuable
collection, and we trust that our friends, as they see what we have
done, will have it in their hearts to add thereto.
Another object of the Society was to provide a suitable hall in
which we might hold our large public gatherings. The hall speaks
for itself — a grand, central rallying place for the sons and daugh-
ters of Rehoboth on all great occasions. The Society has also
provided a fine school-room, hoping to secure the advantages of
a high school for our children. For this object an ample appro-
priation, either public or private, is greatly needed.
Last, but not least, is our library department. We are delighted
with our bright, cheery room, and we are grateful to our friends*
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Bickncll, to whose generous interest
in our enterprise we owe the Blanding Library. We extend to them
a most cordial welcome. There are various factors which enter
into this great undertaking, which, we trust, has only begun its
important educational work in this community. We must not
fail to recognize the unfeigned interest of our own citizens who have
contributed — some of them from their hard earnings — sums rang-
ing from $10 up to 1200. Like sums have also been donated by
244 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
former residents of the town. Friends and helpers m this work» we
bid you all welcome here to-day.
But with all our gifts combined we could never have built this
elegant and commodious edifice. Some building we should doubts
less have had» but it would not have been the GoflF Memorial.
For this we are largely indebted to the munificence of Mr. Darius
Goff . We had no sooner put our united sums into one side of the
balance, when his contribution brought the other scale hard down»
and it has been growing heavier ever since. We congratulate
him that on this very spot where he was bom — just 77 years
ago — he is permitted to-day to join in the dedication of the Goff
Memorial. Sir, we bid you welcome, and of all your seventy-
seven birthdays may this be the happiest and the best."
This address was followed by a statement from the treasurer
showing all bills paid, with a cash balance on hand of $55.49.
The principal feature of the day was Hon. T. W. Bicknell's
masterly oration, in which, after giving due credit to those most
prominent in the enterprise, he set forth the virtues of the early
settlers of the town and spoke of the school and the church as
the chief agents in promoting the culture and progress of the
people. ''The only conservative forces in society," he maintained,
''are intelligence and religion."
The prayer of dedication was offered by Rev. Alexander Mc-
Gregor of Pawtucket. Addresses were made by Dr. E. G. Robin-
son, President of Brown University, Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Taylor
of Providence, and Hon. Charles A. Reed of Taunton, secretary of
the Old Colony Historical Society.
The morning exercises closed with singing the dedicatory hymn
written by Mrs. Lucy Bliss Sweet, a native of the town, and the
benediction by Rev. A. P. Grosvenor, a former pastor of the Con-
gregational Church. Dinner was served in the basement.
At the afternoon exercises a complete surprise was sprung upon
Mr. Tilton by the presentation of a large crayon portrait of him-
self, designed to hang in the hall; his friend Dr. J. Taylor making
the speech.
Addresses were made by Mr. David A. Waldron, President of
the Barrington Historical Antiquarian Society; General OIney
Arnold, of Pawtucket; Edgar Perry, of North Attleborough; Rev.
E. G. Porter, of Lexington, Mass.; Hon. John M. Bray ton, of Fall
THE REHOBOTH ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY 245
River» Ex-Gov. Littlefield, of Rhode Island; Rev. L. S. Wood-
worth, of East Providence; Hon. H. A. Metcalf, of Pawtueket;
Senator George N. Bliss, of East Providence; Dea. Joseph Brown,
of Seekonk, and Rev. L. Thompson, of Woburn; closing with a
few words from Mr. Darius Goff.
All the exercises were of a high order, and the occasion marked
an era in Rchoboth history.
The erection of so grand a memorial, the utterances of the dis-
tinguished men at its dedication, the contribution to Rehoboth
history made by tlie complete and accurate record of the pro-
ceedings published in the volume, "Historic Rehoboth," all served
to win for Rchoboth a recognition as one of the chief historic
places in the Old Bay State, as well as to prei)are the way for the
celebration of the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary eight
years later.
THE NEW GOFF MEMORIAL
The first memorial building was struck by lightning and burned
on Friday, July 7, 1911. The new Memorial Hall was informally
dedicated May 10, 1915. There were a few brief addresses in the
afternoon and a largely attended social dance in the evening.
Not less than three hundred people repaired to the brilliantly
lighted hall to exchange greetings and to keep step with the thrill-
ing music of the orchestra.
The new edifice, including its accessories, cost $35,000. There
was $6,000 insurance on the old hall, leaving $29,000 as the dona-
tion of the brothers Darius L. and Lyman B. Goff, a magnanimous
gift in honor of their father, Darius GofT, and of the ancestral
home.
The new structure is a story and a half brick building 45 x 90
feet, the interior of dark-stained oak. The fine hall which seats
about 300 is on the first floor, with stage, drop curtain and two
anterooms for theatricals; up-stairs are the library and anti-
quarian room and in the basement a social room where suppers
are served.
The building is heated by steam and lighted by electricity, the
latter donated by the Bay State Street Railway Company. Every
comfort of the public is provided for.
The library and antiquarian room contain the books and relics
which were saved without loss from the fire of 1911. In the rear»
246 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
outside, there is ample space for the annual clam-bake» where a
suitable frame for the canvas is permanently fixed. The president
of the Society is Geo. N. GoflF, its secretary EUery L. GoflF, and its
treasurer Henry T. Horton.
THE 250th anniversary
"^The Rehoboth Antiquarian Society took the initiative in re-
commending a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the settle-
ment of the town.
At a meeting of the stockholders in July, 1804, it was decided
to have a celebration that year, and a committee of arrangements
was chosen, consisting of Esek H. Pierce, chairman; Edgar Perry,
secretary; Geo. N. GoflF, William W. Blanding, Nathaniel B.
Horton, Gustavus B. Peck, and Elisha Davis.
The celebration took place on the third day of October, 1894,
in the Goflf Memorial Hall. An address of welcome was given by
Edgar Perry; Hon. T. W. Bickncll as toast-master addressed the
assembly and recognized by name the towns most intimately re-
lated to Old Rehoboth, several of them being daughters of that
ancient town.
Responses were made for each by the following representatives:
Weymouth, 1635, Bradford Hawes, Esq.
Swansea, 1667, Edward M. Thurston, Esq.
Barrington, 1717, Fred. P. Church, Esq.
Attleborough, 1694.
North Attleborough, 1887, Rev. John Whiteliill.
Seekonk, 1812, Joseph Brown, Esq.
Pawtucket, 1828, Henry E. Tiepke.
Cumberland, 1746. Incorporated 1747.
East Providence, 1862, Hon. Geo. N. Bliss.
Newport, Hon. J. W. Horton.
The main historical address of the day was given by Hon. Ed-
win L. Barney of New Bedford. Addresses were also made by
Hon. John W. Davis of Pawtucket, and Hon. Edwin C. Pierce of
Providence. An original poem, "Early Pilgrims," was read by
Hon. Thomas W. Bicknell.
An account of these exercises, together with the addresses and
poem, is published in a volume of one hundred and fifty-seven
pages edited by Dr. Bicknell.
CHAPTER X
REHOBOTH AGRICULTURE
The town of Rchoboth as now limited presents many of the
characteristics of the earlier days. It is still a town of homesteads
on some of which descendants of the original settlers continue to
live. It has still large tracts of woodland ''in whose winding
roads one may as easily lose one's way as among the tortuous
Indian trails of old." It is easy to believe the record that even
after the middle of the eighteenth century wildcats were fre-
quently seen, and a bounty of ten shillings was paid by the town
for each head surrendered. The population is for the most part
scattered, with groups of houses here and there, as at the Village
and in the Blanding and Oak Swamp neighborhoods, and at
Stevens' Corner. There are no large, compact business centers
where the hum of modern machinery can be heard; no steam-cars
pass through its borders, and it is but a score of years since the
electric cars ventured to invade the quiet of its rustic scenes.
Rehoboth is thus preeminently an agricultural town with an
area of about seventy square miles, containing 538 houses, with
27,624 acres of assessed land. Many of its farms are well tilled
and profitable. The State Census of 1905 reports 6,799 acres
under cultivation, valued at S3 15,727, and the number of farms
as 211.
From a geological point of view the old town was a part of the
Narragansett basin, which was "the result of water erosion, the
folding of strata, the giant swing of the continent." During the
carboniferous period it was filled in with rocks and rock-fragments
large and small, carried thither by. the glaciers which rested on
this part of New England.
The southward flow of the mighty ice-river, hundreds of feet
high, cut channels in the rock which were deepened by the erosion
of running waters, as may be seen in the Taunton, Providence
and Palmer's River courses. ' This vast ice-sheet, creeping onward
day and night, year in and year out for many centuries, was ever
grinding off the sharp, outstanding points of rock and planing
down the hills, forming clay, sand, gravel and boulders which it
brought down and dumped on our fields and pastures. Every*
[t47l
248 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
where the land surface is overspread with these glacial deposits*
the upper portion of which is known as the soil. This soil is a water
reservoir in which rains are caught and held; it is abo a laboratory
for the making of plant-foods, and into it the roots of plants grow
deeply for support, moisture and nourishment.
Besides the glacier, another powerful agency in soil-formation
is what is known as "weathering/* including the solvent action
of rains tinctured with carbonic acid, the explosive action of
frosts and the divisive force of tree-roots growing in fissures of
rocks. These and other agencies are ever at work disintegrating
the rocks and reducing tliem to soil. The kind of soil depends
on the materials that form it, but in general soils are either of
a sandy or clayey texture. All soils, to become productive, need to
be mixed with humus or vegetable mold. Peat-bogs are rich in
humus, and if drained, rotted and pulverized by cultivation and
supplied with potash, are extremely fertile.
The earliest growths in the naked mineral soils were lichens
which left enough humus for the mosses, and these in turn for the
ferns and fungi; then came the cone-bearing trees, and finally the
higher forms of vegetation.
Rehoboth, in common with other towns of the section, has
varying grades of soil which the farmer should study, that he
may adapt his tillage to local requirements. In this area much
of the surface rock is conglomerate. Glacial sand-plains abound
where the land is a sandy or gravelly loam, as, for instance, the
vast Manwhuguc riain, Reaclwny's Plain about the Village Cem-
etery, and the great Seekonk Plain of Old Rehoboth. There are
hundreds of acres of this light soil which might be set out to pine-
trees after the manner of the "Cathedral Woods"* l>elow Perry-
ville, for they will thrive and pay a good profit when other growths
fail. Our State Forester strongly recommends this course. The
white pine blister-rust, however, is an enemy to be feared and if
possible avoided.
On the other hand there are areas of richer soils mingled with
clay, and often with a clayey subsoil, both on the uplands and on
the banks of streams where the rich alluvial deposits yield ample
returns in grasses, grains and root-crops.
' A beautiful pine-grove of seven acres on the Christopher Carpenter farm
on Carpenter Street, set out in 1860 in regular rows and now averaging about
6fty feet in height.
II. K. LI(»UTO\
Agrkiiltiirnl Comniisiilonrr of llir AmcricMn Sterl & Wire Co.
SCENES FHOM TIIK WAM)() CIIAVKS KAItM. WIIKKI.KR ST.. HKIKHJOTIi
REHOBOTH AGRICULTURE 249
The meadow lands along Palmer's River and Barrington River,
on account of which Old Rehoboth was styled ''the Garden of
New England," although they have deteriorated, partly, it is said,
by the excessive use of fish as a fertilizer in early times, which
stimulated the soil with nitrogen at the expense of other plant-
foods, are capable of renewal by supplying them with potash»
lime, and phosphorus.
There is a strip of fertile land lying east of Manwhague Swamp,
known as the "Hornbine Fruit Belt. The soil is a yellow loam of
the finest known quality.^ It seems equally adapted to apples,
peaches, cherries and other fruits of the rose family. The apple
has some advantage over the peach, being more hardy and per-
sistent. This wholesome and standard fruit can be profitably
grown in every section of the town, provided pains are taken to
nourish, prune and spray the trees.
Until recent years corn was a staple crop in the town; and
potatoes have been raised extensively from the first. In 1914,
five thousand bushels of tubers were grown from twenty acres
on the Elisha Davis farm in South Rehoboth, by H. B. Reed
and Son, who also raised fifty-five hundred bushels on twenty-two
acres in 1915.
In the earlier years of the settlement and along into the nine-
teenth century, flax was raised to a considerable extent, which
the women spun and wove into linen for home use. Relics of this
industry, including brake, swingling board and knife, hatchel and
linen-wheel were still preserved in some of the old houses as late
as 1885, when samples were collected for the antiquarian room.
The following year some native octogenarians gave an exhibition
of every phase of the industry from the raw flax to the fine-spun
yarn.
Wool was obtained from sheep raised on the farms, which was
spun and woven into bedding and clothing. A few of the ancient
blue-and' white spreads may still be seen perfect in fabric and color.
' Here Mr. Alfred C. Case raises fruit of rare beauty and flavor. In 1916
he sold 2131 bushels of Red Astrachan apples from fifty-four young trees
for $400. He was equally successful with a trial crop of Yellow Transparents.
The same year he sold 1000 baskets of "sun-kissed** peaches at an average
of 75 cents a basket. In this section also the brothers Adin and Arthur Horton
are extensive growers of this delicious fruit. There are a few orchards also
in other parts of the town. At Stevens* Corner, William Slater has ten acres
of trees. In spite of "leaf-curl/* "the yellows" and insect pests, the peach
industry promises well.
250 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
Improved breeds of sheep might again be profitably grown could
they be protected from dogs. In 1855 the number of sheep
reported in town was 371; in 1914 there were only twenty.
Cord-wood and cider-vinegar were produced in quantity for the
markets.
Oats and barley were produced quite generally, and wheat to
a limited extent. The climate and soil are especially favorable
for rye. Large sales of milk have been common for many years,
amounting in 1885 to $74,497;^ and considerable hay has been
sold. From 1870 to 1890 many farmers specialized in strawberry
culture, and thousands of crates of these berries were marketed
at a good profit. This industry was conducted on a large scale
by Hathaway Goff and his son-in-law, George Henry Horton, in
1870 and the years following. It is said that the first berries grown
in Rehoboth for the market were raised by Willard Johnson and
George D. Brown in 1866, and among the early growers were
Herbert C. Bryant of Salisbury Street and Isaac Briggs of Oak
Swamp. At first the berries were packed in round boxes which
were usually returned.
Hon. Henry T. Horton, in an address to the Rehoboth Farmers*
Club in 1880, stated that fifty acres were planted to strawberries
with an average yield to the acre of one hundred crates of thirty-
two baskets each, making five thousand bushels. He estimated
$100 to the acre as an average profit, reaching in a few instances
to $500. Nason's "Gazetteer of Massachusetts" states that in
1885 the strawberry sales in Rehoboth amounted to $26,325, re-
quiring 314,452 quarts or 9,827 bushels. After a time the in-
dustry declined owing to increased competition and the difficulty
and expense of hiring pickers. The Portuguese farmers, however,
are bringing the strawberry into cultivation again, as their num-
erous children enable them to harvest the crop economically.
Vegetables are produced in considerable quantities both for
the feeding of stock and for sale. These include cabbages, tur-
nips, carrots, beets, tomatoes, sweet corn, and to some extent
celery and onions, all of which find a ready market. For a number
of years the highest prizes for vegetables at the Taunton fair
were awarded to thrifty Rehoboth farmers, notably Geo. W. and
William Henry Bowen. The town is favored with good markets
which on every side welcome its produce; no less than five cities
'Since thta time the amount of milk produced has greatly increased.
rrKNin r. iiouton
:. JBIIKMIAII W. llOltTOX
REHOBOTH AGRICULTURE 251
reached by smooth and level roads compete for its fruits and
vegetables.
On the 11th of February, 1874, a farmers' club was formed at
Briggs Corner, which was destined to greatly improve agricultural
conditions in Rehoboth. The prime mover was Julian Anness»
a young man who for the sake of his health gave up a business
career and lived with his father on the "Lincoln Tavern" farm»
just over the line in Attleborough. He called together a few of
the neighboring farmers who organized under the name of "The
Briggsville and North Rehoboth Farmers' Club."
The object, as stated in the constitution, was "For the mutual
improvement of its members in agricultural pursuits, and for
purchasing agricultural implements, seeds, etc., at wholesale
prices."
The officers chosen were Francis A. Bliss, president, who was
re-elected every year for fifteen successive years; Rev. Gardiner
Clark, vice-president; Julian Anness, secretary, and Ira Perry,
treasurer. Meetings were held once a week except in the summer*
with an average attendance of thirteen, not counting special
gatherings which were largely attended. After some years the
interest moved towards Rehoboth center, as some of the charter
members had died or dropped out, while others took their places.
The name was changed to "The Rehoboth Farmers' Club."
Thomas R. Salsbury became secretary, and J. F. Moulton, treas-
urer. The serious tone of the Club is seen in the fact that every
meeting, at least for fifteen years, was opened by prayer.
A carefully prepared presentation of the topic of the evening
was made at each session, sometimes in writing, followed by a
general discussion. Some of the topics were: Insects Injurious
to Vegetation, Successful Strawberry Culture, What Constitutes
a Good Dairy-Cow, How to Make Hens Profitable, The Wastes
of the Farm, The Breeding of Cattle, The Setting of Fruit-Trees,
Pleasures and Profits of a Farmer's Life, Fertilizers and their
Application, The Time to Cut Grass and IIow to Cure It, The
Most Economical Mode of Making Butter, The Selection and
Planting of Seeds, Is the Agricultural College a Benefit to the
Farmers of the State, Public Roads and Farm Roads, Silos» Cab-
bage Culture; these and other topics were discussed with lively
interest and edification.
A visiting committee was appointed each year to study and re-
252 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
port on various crops coming under their observation which often
extended over neighboring towns. A valuable library was grad-
ually gathered containing some of the best books relating to the
farm and garden. Once a year the Club enjoyed a banquet,
either in the Congregational vestry or the Goff Memorial* at
which speeches were made both by members and invited guests.
Instead of purchasing seeds, took, fertilizers, etc., in wholesale
lots through the Club, most of the members preferred to buy
each one for himself.
The secretary's book reports regular meetings of the Club only
up to the beginning of 1888. Meetings were held, however, as
late as 1894, if not later. In 1888, Henry T. Horton was chosen
president of the Club, and in 1892, Samuel A. Cash, who was
succeeded by Dr. Charles N. Raymond. Its library had become
scattered and the books that remained were finally donated to the
Blanding Library.
Among the prominent workers in addition to the officers al-
ready named may be mentioned: William W. Blanding, Henry
T. Horton, James A. Eddy, Abiah Bliss, Geo. W. Bliss, J. Walter
Bliss, Reuben Bowen, Ezra Perry, G. Hiram Goff, Charles W*
Goff, Ellery L. Goff, William H. Luther, John A. Buffinton, S.
Luther Peirce, Almon A. Reed, John C. Marvel, Bradford G.
Goff, Henry C. Goff, E. A. Medbury, James P. Carpenter, Albert
R. Lewis, and J. W. Humphrey. Among the ever welcome vis-
itors were Thomas G. Potter of East Providence, A. W. Paul
of Dighton, N. B. Gardner of Swansea, Chas. E. Chickering,
Charles A. Lee and Albert N. Bullock of Pawtucket, Edgar
Peny of North Attleborough, and Joseph Brown of Seekonk.
The influence of the Rehoboth Farmers' Club on the community
was decidedly helpful as well as lasting. It served to stimulate
higher ideals and better methods of farming; to disseminate
valuable information through its library and its able discussions
of vital topics; and to promote the social welfare of all concerned,
making them better acquainted with and appreciative of each
other.
After its mission had ceased, there was nothing to take its
place until the organization of the Annawan Grange, Feb. 22,
1898. The Grange, known officially as "The Order of Patrons
of Husbandry," stands for fraternity, education, and social help,
and is designed particularly for the welfare of rural communities.
'^'i'^^.w^^ /^^^ "d^^^vd.^
ItKI HKN lUIWICN
REHOBOTH AGRICULTURE 263
At the first meeting, which was held in the school-room of the Goff
Memorial, the following oflScers were chosen: Master, Fred U.
Cory; Overseer, Arthur C. Goff; Lecturer, Amelia Horton Car-
penter; Steward, Frank A. Goff; Assistant Steward, Murray J.
Bowen; Secretary, E. Gertrude Hobbs; Treasurer, Joseph P.
Earle; Chaplain, Almon A. Reed; Gatekeeper, Frank H. Horton;
Pomona, Mary L. Bowen; Flora, Mrs. Arthur C. Goff; Lady
Assistant Steward, E. Amelia Horton.
The first regular meeting was held March 12, 1898, and on May
14, Welcome F. Horton, the first member by initiation, took the
first and second degrees. The sisters of the Grange, by forming
the Anna wan Sewing Circle, raised $147 for furnishing the hall
and also contributed towards the Lecturers' Fund and the State
Educational Fund. Much good has been accomplished by sending
books, flowers and fruit to the sick and ''shut-ins** both within
and outside of the order.
On April 28, 1908, the Grange, having met for ten years at the
school-room in Goff Memorial Hall, received from the Annawan
Baptist Church and Society the gift of their meeting-house, which
they fitted up and have since occupied. The Grange has been
free from debt since 1910, and an annual clam-bake helps to pay
current expenses.
Through this organization, instinct with life, the interests of
agriculture have been promoted, indirectly by stimulating social
fellowship and directly by frequent lectures on some vital phase
of the farmer's life.
Mention should be made of the several herds of fine cows in
town. The brothers William B. and M. J. Bowen have for many
years maintained a large herd of pure-blooded Holsteins, sending
daily their full yield of milk unchallenged to Attleborough. George
S. Baker also has a fine herd of Holsteins at "Hill Crest"; and
Irving W. Kimball of South Rehoboth has a finely-bred herd of
twenty-five registered Ayrshires; and there are numerous mixed
herds which supply several milk-routes. Thomas MacNeil of
South Rehoboth, a successful milk producer, has a remarkable
Holstein cow with a record of eleven quarts (23.8 lbs.) in five
hours, from 7 a.m. to 12 m. Frank H. Horton of Rehoboth
Village owns a high-grade herd of Holsteins.
In 1855 there were in town 755 cows, 324 horses, 694 swine,
and 567 neat cattle. In 1900 there were 1,188 cows, 569 horses*
264 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
264 swine, 164 neat cattle, and 16,322 fowls. In 1916 there were
1,271 cows, 542 horses, 325 swine, 343 neat cattle, and 26,229
fowls.
These facts show an increase in live-stock on the whole, but
with fewer horses now than ten years ago, and less than half the
number of swine in 1855.
This increasing aggregate of live-stock on the Rehoboth farms
is a sign of agricultural improvement. Farms cannot be kept at
their best when the hay is sold off and but few cattle are raised.
It has been well said that ''Livestock farming is the best farming
in the world, the enriching of soil and people.'*
State agricultural experiments show that alfalfa will grow
readily in Rehoboth, and the raising of sheep again on our farms
is strongly recommended by experts in that industry.
The State I<egislature of 1856 directed the assessors of each
town to collect information touching on various pursuits of the
inhabitants for the year ending June 1, 1855. The following
items are taken from the Rehoboth report: —
Number of horses, 324, valued at $21,329.
Number of oxen over three years old, 284; steers under three
years old, 69; value of oxen and steers, $13,613.
Milch cows, 755, heifers, 163; value of cows and heifers, $25,-
648.
Butter, 43,837 lbs., valued at $1,686.10.
Honey, 180 lbs., valued at $36.
Indian Com, 754 acres; average per acre, 25 bushels, valued
at $18,660.
Rye, 195 acri\s; average |kt acre, 9 bushels; valued at $1,785.
Oats, 279 acres; average per acre, 16| bushels, valued at
$2,333.
Potatoes, 306 acres; average per acre, 66 bushels, valued at
$15,135.
English mowing, 2,995 acres; English hay, 1,946 tons, valued
at $36,028.
Wet meadow or swale hay, 982 tons, valued at $8,838.
Salt hay, 34 tons, valued at $340.
Apple-trees cultivated for their fruit, 12,135; value of fruit,
$3,850.
Pear-trees, 140; value $75.
Cranberries, 10 acres; valued at $891.
■
^^
jUir
^''fl^-
I.KWIS TA\ Kll\
m^nw.
S^^
•"■■^■v-?^
i?
^
i
If
i w
•.■•0-G
AN.NAWAN CIIANCK HALL
(illKNVII.I.K STKVKNS
CHAPTER XI
NATIVE TREES
TiiRBR centuries ago, before the white man's foot had traversed
the Indian trails, Rehoboth's ample territory was covered with
dense forests, including trees of many kinds, both large and small,
with a tangled undergrowth of shrubs and ferns. A carpet of
lush grass, dainty moss and creeping evergreens covered the teem-
ing earth, while bright blooms of many hues, — violets, crowfoots,
gentians, orchids and myriads of others
"were born to blush unseen,
And waste their sweetness on the desert air."
For a long time after the town was settled, the cleared spaces
were small as compared with the extensive woodlands which shel-
tered numerous game-birds and wild animals. Up to the middle of
the nineteenth century, within the town's present limits there were
large areas abounding in oak, maple, pine, birch and other trees,
while the big swamps were filled with a handsome growth of
cedar.
We shall not attempt here to set forth the complete flora of
Rehoboth, for that in itself would require a small volume, but
rather to speak popularly of some of the more interesting trees
as they are related to the pleasure or profit of the community.
Realizing that the forests are an important asset to the people,
we would stimulate the interest of all in conserving them as a de-
light to the eye, as a means of gathering moisture, and for their
commercial value as wood and timber.
At the end of this chapter a list of the native trees of Rehoboth
will be given, which is as complete as our present knowledge can
make it.
In writing of the trees we shall call each by its common name,
referring the reader to this list for the scientific name. The list
accords with the names given in Gray's "New Manual of Botany.'*
It should be borne in mind that there is no fixed dividing line
between a tree and a shrub. As a general rule, it may be said that
a tree must have a single self-supporting trunk, and be at least
fifteen feet high. In this particular our list follows mainly the
If05)
256 HISTORY OP REHOBOTH
excellent ''Hand-book of the Trees of New England/' by Dame
and Brooks.
While large quantities of wood and timber have been cut off
within the past twenty-five years, there are still left extensive
tracts of woodland, some ready to cut and some growing to a
future harvest, perhaps for the second or third time. The State
census of 1905 reported ll,1141r acres of woodland in town.
A true lover of nature riding over the rustic roads of Rehoboth
in the growing season cannot fail to be impressed with the beauty
and abundance of the vegetation. Along many waysides the soil
teems with a rich and rapid plant-growth. Luxuriant vines fes-
toon walls and trees and adorn the banks of streams; the eastern
branch of Palmer's River is a perfect bower of beauty in its
course below the site of the Village mill; grape-vines, woodbines,
clematis and even the poison ivy mount and cling to the trees and
shrubs, while the river ripples and rushes on beneath their check-
ered shade.
In many spots the charming Sumachs take on the habit of trees.
The Staghorn variety, tall and stately, with velvety-hairy bran-
ches, bearing unique clusters of reddish berries (drupes) clothed
with crimson hairs, forms picturesque colonies in pastures and
margins of woods.
The Dwarf Sumach with its shiny leaves, often a small bush,
as on Cape Cod, has here tall and ample foliage and forms dense
wayside and pasture hedges stretching onward for many rods,
often mingled with the handsome smooth variety (Rlius glabra)^
and together very beautiful.
Most delicate of all is the Poison Sumach of the swamps,
usually known as "Poison Dogwood,*' whose brilliant autumn
foliage is unsurpassed in richness and beauty, which the wary ob-
server will admire at a distance.
Excepting the Cedar of the swamps, the Oak is the most widely
distributed of the native trees of Rehoboth. Of this genus there
are at least eight distinct species in town.
The Black or Yellow Oak is a large tree fifty to eighty feet in
height, common and valuable for its timber. The yellow and bitter
inner bark is used both for dyeing and tanning. The foliage turns
a dull red-brown in autumn.
Similar to the black is the Scarlet Oak, also quite common,
but differs mainly in the turning of its bright-green foliage into
NATIVE TREES 257
a flaming scarlet in October, making it the most beautiful oak of
the woods.
The largest of the local oaks is tlie Red Oak, "the monarch of
the forest," growing as higli as eightj' feet and from two to six
feet in diameter. Its large acorns rest in shallow saucer-shaped
cups. It is common except in wet soils.
The White Oak is a magnificent timber-tree, unrivaled in the
toughness and durability of its wood. It is extremely valuable
for farm wagons, handles, furniture, and for many uses. Col.
Lyndal Bowen and William Henry Bowen were famous for their
elegant white oak axe-handles which were greatly in demand.
The supply of this excellent timber is being rapidly exhausted.
There are, however, many fine trees still growing in Rehoboth»
of much value to the owners. Its long acorn is sweet and edible.
The Swamp White Oak is a handsome tree fifty to sixty feet
high, of rugged and picturesque habit, with many of the qualities
of the White O.ak, but somewhat less valuable for timber. It b
common in swampy land and on the banks of streams. Many
fine trees of this species grow on Manwhague Plain. The aspect
of the tree is rough and shaggy, the bark dividing into large, flat
scales. The edible twin-acorns rest in cups with pointed or fringed
scales.
The Chestnut Oak^ is a tree of medium size, twenty-five to fifty
feet high, distinguished by its leaves, which have a wavy margin.
Its long acorn has a deep, thin cup; quite rare in our local woods.
The Scrub Oak is common everywhere in sandy or gravelly
soil and is apt to form thickets. It is attractive in spring when
putting forth its fresh foliage. Its wood is hard to cut and of
slight value.
The Scrub Chestnut Oak often grows with the Scrub Oak. It
is a low, shrubby tree, not uncommon in town and of no special
value.
The Chestnut is a large, handsome tree, well known and rather
common in our woods. Its excellent timber is prized for rail-
road ties, telegraph poles and numerous other uses. It is greatly
to be regretted that a bark disease (Diaporthe parasUica) is de-
stroying the species. The disease fastens on a spot in the bark
of the trunk, then girdles the tree and kills it. Owners in town
are beginning to cut and sell the timber. The Chestnut is doomed.
^ Reported by B. F. Munroe.
17
258 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
Hickory is a term which includes several closely allied species:
one yielding the sweet shagbark or shellbark nut; another the infe-
rior pignut; and a third, the mockemut, so called because its fruit,
including the husk and shell, is large in comparison with the small,
pent kernel, and is thus a mocker promising more than it fulfills.
The three are rather common in town, especially the last. All
have a firm wood excellent for fuel and for lumber.
The Hop Hornbeam or Leverwood is a slender tree twenty-five
to forty feet high, belonging to the Birch family. Its fruit resembles
hop-clusters. The white, firm wood is used for levers. A few
trees grow in the woods northeast of Perryville, where the real
Hornbeam is also found sparingly.
The Hornbeam, or Blue Beech, is a low, spreading tree, twelve to
twenty-five feet high, with a trunk-diameter of six to fifteen inches.
It is a tough, hardy tree, sometimes called '*ironwood," and grows
in low, wet grounds, and on the margins of swamps. Its bark,
dark, bluish-gray in color, resembles the Beech. Not very com-
mon, even in the southeast part of the town, where it gives its
name slightly modified to the ''Ilornbine'* Church and School.
The town people are wont to apply the term ''Hornbeam*' to
another and larger tree which is in fact
The Tupelo (also called Sour Gum and Pepperidge). It is a
graceful tree of medium size, whose abundant foliage of a dark,
lustrous green, turns in early autumn to a brilliant crimson.
The fruit is a small sour drupe. Its wood, although soft, is close-
grained and hard to split: The tree is tmrongly called ^^HombeamJ*
It belongs to the Cornel or Dogwood family and is therefore
related to
The Flowering Dogwood, a small, handsome tree, admired for
its snowy white blossoms in May or June, and for the rich color-
ing of its foliage and fruit in autumn, common in the Rehoboth
woods, which it brightens and adorns.
The Birches are conspicuous in town, particularly the Small
White Birch, which is common everywhere. The Yellow and Black
or Sweet varieties are less common, but are used in part as small
lumber for special purposes.
The Mulberry is interesting as a survival from the silk culture of
one hundred years ago. There are at least two scattered colonies
in town, one near the Salisbury place in the Hunt neighborhood,
and the other one near the I. N. Allen place north of Perryville.
NATIVE TREES 259
The Sossafnis deserves ineiition for its graceful presence in
every part of the town, — a tree of decided beauty, marked by
its rich yellow or red-tinted foliage and fruit in autumn, and by
the aromatic odor and spicy flavor of all its parts, especially the
bark of the root. Though usually a small tree, Miss Mildred E.
Bliss reports four trees in a clump on the "River Meadow" each
more than thirty inches in circumference.
The Swamp or Red Maple is abundant in our lowlands and is
beautiful alike when flowering in spring and ripening its leaves
in autumn.
The Rock or Sugar Maple is scarcely found outside the Rocky
Hill area, whence some of our finest shade-trees have been trans-
planted, as may be seen in part on the premises of Edwin Gushing
and of P. E. Wilmarth in the Blanding neighborhood. In October
the resplendent foliage of this noble tree surpasses in bright colors
all other trees of the forest.
The American Holly {Ilex opaca), often a tree fifteen to twenty
feet high, is found in North Rehoboth, and on the borders of Man-
whague Swamp. On account of its spiny, evergreen foliage and
bright red berries it is much prized for Christmas decorations.
The Basswood or Whitewood is very rare in town. The writer
has seen specimens of it growing on the slopes of Rocky Hill and in
the woodlands north of Perry ville.
Of the cone-bearing trees of Rehoboth, the Hemlock, though
rare, is worthy of mention. Its great size and extremely delicate
foliage render it conspicuous. The women of the olden time
made brooms of its silvery evergreen sprays, and the boys, cross-
bows of its brittle but elastic limbs.
There is in town no native Spruce or Fir or Larch. A few small
trees of Red Spruce have sprung up on the C. F. Wilmarth farm
in North Rehoboth, but nearly every one has been cut for a Christ-
mas tree. They were not native, but doubtless started from the
seeds of an ornamental spruce on the old Rounds place near by.
In like manner we may account for the few diminutive Fir trees
growing in the swamp on the B. F. Munroe farm. They have es-
caped from cultivation and seek in vain to become established in
this climate; whereas the White Pine and Cedar are at home here
and grow naturally.
The Red Cedar, too, grows freely in these pastures and uplands.
On Great Meadow Hill and elsewhere it mingles with hardwood
260 HISTORY OF REHOBOIII
growths and is rather common. Its wood is pale red and aromatic
and is prized for posts.
The Cedar (White Cedar) is a symmetrical tree of medium sise*
twenty-five to fifty feet in height and from six inches to two feet
in diameter, with a brownish-green foliage and an aromatic wood.
It formerly covered the town's immense swamps which, taken
together, contain perhaps two thousand acres. Large quantities
of this elegant timber have been sawed into shingles and box-
boards, and some of it into boat-lumber, as the wood is light and
buoyant. Within recent years portable steam-sawmills have been
introduced and the timber in and about the great Manwhague
Swamp has nearly all been harvested.
In 1910-13 Joseph Lunan & Sons of P^all River operated their
mill on the border of this swamp and built a corduroy road into
its midst, cutting off not only the vast cedar supply, but also tlie
magnificent pine timber in the near-by forests, along witli consider-
able quantities of oak and maple.
The ordinary method of securing cedar is to cut and haul it
from the swamps while the ground is frozen. There are still
left many acres of this fine timber in the northern or Squannakonk
Swamp, as well as large areas still uncut in the swamps of North
Rehoboth, along the Meadow Hill Brook, through C. F. Wil-
marth's land and northward.
Above Stevens' Corner, and running up into Norton and At-
tleborough, is a cedar swamp of some four hundred acres, one
hundred acres of which is said to belong to Rehoboth and is owned
by numerous parties in small lots. In all these swamps there
are many small trees growing along with the larger timber trees,
which are in demand for oyster-poles. These bring a good price:
e. g., Mr. Wilmarth recently sold standing, eight hundred poles at
twenty cents each.
It is remarkable that when the cedars are harvested, as in Man-
whague Swamp, there si)rings up a growth of Red Maple with a
mere scattering of pines and cedars. What is the cause of this?
One theory is that the seeds which come up have been lying dor-
mant for many years and are now favored by the changed con-
ditions. Another theory is that the birds and winds carry the seeds
from outside, which are now free to grow. Still another theory
is that seeds may be and are spontaneously produced. We leave
the problem for our readers to think about and discuss, only sug-
i
1
r-7 ^ 'I ■'■■■ ' 1
i
•■ ■„'.i.^',V
i
Bl
o .-■
H S
H U
'i i
owleilgnienlixiiiiiticlollicSIn
.. For,
ilrylU-parrni
.-■It fur |>Ik.
ogreii
a bulletin,— -Tlie Older Furoi
Maul
Ilium of Ma
NATIVE TREES 261
gesting that the skeptical should take a tramp through the
southern end of Manwiiague Swamp.
The White Pine is a stately conifer from fifty to eighty feet
high and from two to four feet in diameter. The foliage needles
are in clusters of five, and in color a soft bluish-green. Not count-
ing the cellar, the pine has been the chief timber tree of tlie town,
much of it having l^een made into box-boards. Within twenty-
five or thirty years there were extensive pine woods in Rehoboth,
especially in the south end of the town, but tlie portable sawmills
have laid them low. In the years 1887-9, James Smellie of Fall
River ran a three-fold mill, for shingles, long boards and box-
boards, anil harvested large areas of choice pine in South Reho-
both. Later, Alfred Moore of Providence stripped the "Mason
lot" and tlie enormous pine-bearing tract in the vicinity of Devil's
Pond. In 1913, Hugh A. Smith of Attleborough harvested the
Munroe lot of one hundred and ten acres, north of Perryville,
and also the Marcus Round and other lots, containing much hard-
wood, but also considerable pine. Thus have the noble pine forests
of Rehobotli disappeared. Will they grow again? Not as ex-
tensively SIS before : for one thing, because more land is being
cultivated. To make sure of future growths of pine the trees
must be planted.
We are glad to direct the reader's attention to the pine woods
on the Christopher Carpenter farm, half a mile north of the Vil-
lage, lliis grove, containing seven acres, was set out in 1860. The
trees are in regular rows ten or twelve feet apart each way. They
now, after a growth of fifty -seven years, average fifty feet in
height and contain, according to the State Forester's estimate,
306,570 board feet. The grove is impressive by its size and stateli-
ness and merits its designation as the "Cathedral Woods." There
are scores if not hundreds of acres of land in Rehoboth which
might be profitably planted with pines, including a considerable
part of the ministerial farm. Forty years hence such trees would
be a valuable asset for their beauty as well as for their worth in
money. "The planter of the present day," says the State Forester,
"can assume that he is investing for a 10% or 12% return."*
There is a growing interest throughout the State in the pres-
'A fiiseane known as the White Pine Blister Rust threatens the destruction
of all the white pines. It has not yet been discovered in Rehoboth and may
be avoided by destroying all currant and gooseberry bushes which first take
the disease and communicate it to the pines.
262 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
ervation of our forests, whose enemies are fire and moths. Hitherto
the moths have done little if any damage in Rehoboth.
In accordance with legislative acts of 1011» a State fire-warden
was appointed with district deputies to supervise the work of the
town wardens. The smaller towns have been provided with a
fire-fighting apparatus costing }500.00» for which they pay one-
half the expense; and a system of watch-towers has been instituted
for the early detection of fires. One of these towers, of which there
are nineteen in the state, rises from the summit of Great Meadow
Hill, which has an elevation of 263 feet, the highest in town. This
tower is forty feet high and commands a view of Rehoboth and,
in part, of the surrounding towns. A road runs over the hill
past the tower, passable for wagons, but rough with stones. An
observer is on duty every day from March to November inclusive,
who is paid $60.00 a month. When a fire breaks out he locates
it by the help of a disk marked with the points of the com-
pass, and phones the local fire-warden or a deputy. The present
town warden is Benj. F. Munroe, and the observer is Joseph
Zilch. The town in which the fire occurs bears the expense of
fighting it. Neighboring towns aided the state in building the
tower, — Rehoboth, Taunton and Attleborough contributing
$100.00 each and Norton $50.00.^
Modem forestry shows, — although the custom is centuries old
in Germany, — that forests can be kept growing indefinitely and
yield a steady profit to the owners by cutting off from time to
time the mature trees, leaving the younger to grow in their turn
to the harvest.
A sound financial policy wisely applied would protect our trees
from careless destruction; but too often a narrow greed of gain
causes a senseless waste of tree-life with scarcely an adverse
thought on the part of the owners or lumbermen, whose sole
aim is the coveted dollar or its equivalent.
In view of this tendency we would lay special emphasis on the
aesthetic value of trees and woodlands in a town. The living tree
is Nature's symbol of strength and beauty. "And he shall be
like a tree planted by the streams of water.*' To look daily upon
beautiful trees is to have their beauty reflected in our lives and to
take on a certain ruggedness of character. Our forests should be
^ There were two annoying fires south of Rehoboth Village in Octobert
191G.
NATIVE TREES 263
taxed low enough to encourage the owners to spare and enjoy
them. This idea of proper conservation should be drilled into the
minds of our children. The poetic sentiment of "Woodman*
spare that tree'* would make our people richer in the love of nature
and of the Great Author of nature.
"My heartstrings round thee cling
Close as thy bark, old friend!
Here shall the wild bird sing,
And still thy branches bend.
Old tree! the storm still brave!
And woodman, leave the spot, —
While I've a hand to save.
Thy axe shall hurt it not."
A List of Rehoboth Trees
Abies baUamea, (L.), Mill. Fir; Balsam fir.
Chamaecyparis thymdes^ (L.) B. S. P. Cedar; White cedar.
Juniperus virginiana^ L. Red cedar.
Pinus rigiday Mill. Fitch pine; Hard pine.
Pinus Sirobus, L. White pine.
Tauga canadensis^ (L.) Carr. Hemlock.
Populus candicans. Ait. Balm of Gilead.
Popvlus grandidentata, Michx. Large-toothed aspen.
Populus iremuloides^ Michx. American aspen.
Salix alba^ var. viteUina, (L.) Koch. White willow.
Salix discolor^ Muhl. Pussy-willow.
Carya cdba, (L.) K. Koch. Mocker-nut; White-heart hickory.
Carya glabra^ (Mill.) Spach. Pignut hickory.
Carya ovata, (Mill.) K. Koch. Shagbark hickory.
Juglans cinerea, L. Butternut.
Betula lenta, L. Black birch; Cherry birch.
Betula luieay Michx. f. Yellow birch.
Betula populifolia^ Marsh. Small white birch; Gray birch.
Carpinus caroliniana, Walt. Hornbeam; Blue or Water beech.
Ostrya virginiana, (Mill.), K. Koch. Hop hornbeam; Ironwood;
Leverwood.
Castanea dentata, (Marsh.) Borkh. Chestnut.
Fagus grandifolia, Ehrh. Beech.
Quercus alba^ L. White oak.
Quercus bicolor, Willd. Swamp white oak.
Quercus coccinea^ Muench. Scarlet oak.
Quercus ilicifolia, Wang. Scrub oak.
Quercus prinoides^ Willd. Scrub chestnut oak.
Quercus prinus, L. Chestnut oak. (Reported by B. F. Munroe).
Quercus rubra, L. Red oak.
Quercus velutina. Lam. Black oak; Yellow oak.
264 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
Morus rubra^ L. Mulberry (introduced).
Ulmus americana^ L. American elm.
Sassafras variifclium^ (Salisb.) Ktse. Sassafras.
Hamamelis mrginiana^ L. Witch-hazel.
Plaianus occidentalism L. Buttonwood; Sycamore.
Amalanchier canadensis, (L.), Medic. Shadbush; Juneberry.
Crataegus, L. Hawthorn.
Prunus pennsylvanica, L. f. Wild red cherry; Pin cherry.
Prunus serotina, Ehrh. Black cherry; Rum cherry.
Prunus virginiana, L. Chokeberry.
Oleditsia iriacanthos, L. Honey locust (introduced).
Robinia Pseudo-Acacia, L. Common locust.
Rhus copallina, L. Dwarf sumac.
Rhus glabra, L. Smooth sumac.
Rhus typhina, L. Staghorn sumac.
Rhus vemix, L. Poison sumac; Poison dogwood.
Ilex opaca. Ait. American holly.
Acer rubrum, L. Red maple; Swamp maple.
Acer saccharum. Marsh. Kock maple; Sugar maple.
Tilia americana, L. Basswood; Whitewood; Linden.
Comus altemifolia, L. f. Green osier; Dogwood.
Comusflorida, L. Flowering dogwood.
Nyssa sylvatica. Marsh. Tupelo; Sour gum; Pepperidge.
Fraxinus americana, L. White ash.
Fraxinus nigra. Marsh. Black ash.
Viburnum lentago, L. Sheep-berry.
CHAPTER XII
REHOBOTH MANUFACTURES
THE REHOBOTH UNION MANUFACTURING COMPANY
This Company was formed at Rehoboth Village Aug. 24, 1809,
consisting of Richard Golf, Dexter Wheeler, and the four sons
of Col. Thomas Carpenter, — Stephen, Thomas, James and Peter.
Col. Thomas had bought the privilege of the brothers Abraham
and Eleazer Bliss who for many years had owned and operated a
sawmill and gristmill at Bliss's Mill, known later as Rehoboth
Village.^ The Company erected its cotton-mill here in 1809
and equipped it with 360 spindles. It employed fourteen hands
in the manufacture of cotton yarn, which was colored at a
dye-house near by. Most of the mill-hands were farmers*
daughters who lived in the town. The yarn was then put out
into families of the neighborhood to be woven by hand into cloth.
The women received six cents a yard, and for striped ginghams as
high as twelve cents, and averaged ten or twelve yards a day.
Some of the cloth was sold to families for home use, but most of
it found a market in New York City. During the embargo of
1812, the goods had to be carted to New York, the teams taking
the cloth from the mill and returning with West India goods.
The Company had a store in the basement from which the work-
men were paid in part for their labor. Its first agent was
James Carpenter; after him came David Anthony of Fall River,
Edward Mason of Swansea and William Marvel 2d, who moved
to Rehoboth in 1829 and held the position until the Company sold
out in November, 1835, to Nelson and Darius GoflF.
The new firm began at once to make cotton batting. They also
manufactured wadding in a small mill further up the stream^
which Richard Golf had used even before 1776 for fulling and
dressing cloth. The goods were shipped on board a sloop in Prov-
* They were sons* of Abraham Bliss*, "the miller/' son of Samuel*, son of
Jonathan* (and Miriam Carpenter), son of Jonathan* (and Sarah Bliss), son
of ThoraasS a first settler in town. Jonathan* settled at Palmer's River and
one branch of his descendants bought the mill privilege which came to be
known as "Bliss's Mill." The Bliss homestead was near the present Post
Office, and the farm embraced most of the village area and the Marvel meadow
lying to the westward.
iMal
266 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
idence under Captain Spellman and taken to Albany, and a por-
tion of them thence by canal to Buffalo. In the financial crista
of 1837, Darius Goff took a cargo of *'bats" to Albany and be-
yond, for which he was obliged to take New York money in pay-
ment and then pay a premium of eight or ten per cent for New
England money.
In 1839, E. A. Brown came to Rehoboth Village, and in 1842
bought out Nelson Goff 's interest, and the new firm, Goff & Brown,
in addition to the manufacture of batting, started the business
of making ball and carpet twine. In March, 1846, the wadding-
mill was burned and Mr. Goff soon after moved to Pawtucket,
giving his attention to the cotton-waste business and planning
for a large wadding plant. Mr. Brown thus had the complete
management of the Rehoboth mill, and improved its equipment
at large expense. He installed a turbine wheel costing $1,000,
a twenty-five horse-power engine, and White's patent apparatus
for illuminating buildings, for which he paid $5,000. The Com-
pany employed twenty-five hands, half of them women, who spun,
twisted and wound the twine. The women earned $3.00 a week
and the men $5.00.
For a few years goods were in demand, the sales averaging
about $60,000 annually. In the year 1863 the Company is said
to have cleared $13,000; but this was more than offset by the
heavy losses which followed. After 1867 the property changed
owners frequently. In 1868, Goff & Brown deeded the property
to John D. Cranston and Mr. Brown went into bankruptcy. The
property was then sold to Darius Goff, who took John C. Marvel
into partnership with him on a one-fourth interest. Mr. Marvel
managed the business for about three years, but the firm lost
heavily on account of failures in New York. In November, 1870,
Goff & Marvel deeded the privilege to William W. Johnston, who
immediately mortgaged it back. In 1875 the firm foreclosed,
leaving Mr. Johnston bankrupt with George N. Goff as assignee.
The title again being vested in Goff & Marvel, they sold out
to Hargraves Heap, who did a good business, but having other
plans, deeded the property in 1879 to William H. Bowen, who
sold it to Charles F. Easton, reserving the old wadding-mill
privilege, where he established a grist-mill. This property is
now owned by Mrs. Emily Bowen Horton. The Village mill
property finally, in 1887, came into the hands of John C. Marvel,
REHOBOTH MANUFACTURES 267
and remained idle until, in 1898, he sold the privilege to J. F.
Shaw & Co., builders of the electric railway which ran through
the property, and was operated by what is now the Bay State
Street Railway Company. In the same year the old mill was
torn down and its lumber removed.
In the fall and winter of 1837-8 the "Bad Luck Reservoir" was
built by Nelson and Darius Goff, representing the Village Company,
in co-operation with Benjamin Peck, who acted for the Orleans
Company. In this enterprise Nelson GoflT was the chief financial
factor. The dam was built on the site of an ancient dam con-
structed for a sawmill which stood a short distance below. The
land of the reservoir was purchased of Valentine Horton at $25.00
an acre. Much of the adjoining land has belonged to the Keltons.
On the 24 th of June, 1859, very early in the morning, the dam
broke away and the whole body of water poured forth, sweeping
everything before it. Trees were uprooted, four bridges carried
away, costing the town $600.00 to rebuild them. The noise was
heard for miles away. The Village mill was undermined and the
machine shop and tools carried off.
THE ORLEANS MANUFACTURING COMPANY
The Orleans Mill Privilege is situated on Palmer's River in
the southwest part of the town. It is about six miles from Warren
and seven from Providence, R.I. As early as 1662 a grist-mill was
erected near the spot where the road now crosses the upper end
of the present pond. Subsequently it was removed farther down
the stream to the site of the Orleans mill. This was only a six
months* privilege, the water being drawn off during the summer for
the sake of the grass on the meadows. This mill, or others in its
place, was doubtless patroniased by the neighboring settlers for
nearly a hundred and fifty years, or until 1810, when a project
was started for erecting a cotton-mill to manufacture yarn. A
company was formed consisting of Asa Bullock, Barnard Wheeler»
Capt. Israel Nichols, William Blanding, and others of Rehoboth;
Thomas Church, John Howe, and Capt. Benjamin Norris. of
Bristol; and Richmond Bullock of Providence.
Having secured, through Mr. Asa Bullock, the necessary prop-
erty and the annual right of flowage, they formed a partnership
to date from the 20th day of September, 1810, to continue tea
years. The amount paid for the property was $5,765, and th
268 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
shares were fixed at $400 each. The mill was completed and put
in operation in 1811. This was more than two years before the
building of the old "White" and *Troy" mills of Fall River.
Three other mills had already been built in this vicinity — that
at Swansea Factory about 1806, one atRehoboth Village in 1809,
and the "Old Central" in what is now Seekonk, in 1810. They
all manufactured immber twelve yam, which was put out among
the surrounding families to be woven by hand, the power-loom
not having been then introduced.
This new company proposed to make finer yarn, number six-
teen, and styled themselves the Palmer's River Manufacturing
Company. They do not appear to have lieen very successful in
business, for although they retained possession of the property
till 1822, it was leased for several years to Mr. Nathan Sweetland.
At this time the machinery' was crude. The (*otton was parcelled
out among the farmers to be beaten with sticks to remove the dirt,
then picked by hand, then spread upon the cards separately by
children, then transferred from the lap-roil to the "can-frame."
In 1822 a commission was chosen consisting of three of the Com-
pany to dispose of the property, and it was sold to the brothers
Nathaniel and Ebenezer Ide of Attleborough for $5,000. Whether
looms had been introduced previous to this sale is not certainly
known, but the Ide Brothers manufactured cloth. Becoming em-
barrassed through ill success in 1824, they mortgaged the property
to Abraham and Isaac Wilkinson of Pawtueket for $10,000. In
1826 they made an assignment to Isaac Wilkinson and the property
was sold, — David Wilkinson purchasing the real estate, and A.
and I. Wilkinson the personal property, which they removed
from the mill. The question arose with reference to an oaken
cloth-press, whether it was real or p>ersonal property, and being
submitted to a lawyer he decided that if it was secured to the
building at the top and bottom it would be held with the mill;
and as this was the case it remained.
In the fall of 1825 a new company was formed by David Wil-
kinson, Joseph Tomkins and others, who proposed to manufacture
woolens under the name of the Rehoboth Woolen Company. A
new building was erected for a dye-house, and other necessary
arrangements were made for the business. In 1826 the only mem-
ber of the firm who understood the business, Mr. Thomas H.
Stafford, died and the project was abandoned. During this
i
WA yJ^^K"
1
winHi.
J
^
^^^^^^K ^iti^jMHi^^^^^^^^^
\!%
|HiHVpP|
■^
^^Mjk /p|R^' <
■si'^i;' y yr •.*i;
^\ yj £
'^^
U.iN. \V[J.I.IAM A. KINC;
Skilli''! M fell II nil', S<-lioi>l Ciiiiiiiiillee. Ncmpaper Corre.iiMiiiilenl
REHOBOTH M^VNUFACTURES 269
same year a new firm was established to be known as the Orleans
Cotton Manufacturing Company, consisting of David Wilkinson
and Co. and Mr. Benjamin Peck. This firm, among the first to
use "mules" for spinning, made very fine goods for calico print-
ing from number forty yarn, using the New Orleans cottons,
hence the name of the company. In 1829 the firm failed and made
an assignment to Thomas Burgess, Esq., who leased the mill for
one year to Crawford Allen. It was then sold to Mr. Benjamin
Peck, who subsequently took into partnership with him James
II. Mumford of Rehoboth, Asa Pierce, Esq., of Providence, and
others. In November, 1831,* the mill was totally destroyed by
fire except twelve looms and a few cards which were removed.
It was rebuilt of stone the following year, 72 ft. by 40 ft., two
stories high with attic and basement stories, and contained sixty
looms employing about twenty-five hands. Mr. Peck owned one-
half the property and operated the mill (after 1843) on contract,
till 18G1, when the Civil War broke out and business was susfiended
and was never resumed by that company. When Mr. Peck came
to South Rehoboth in 182G, he was accompanied by Dea. Eleazer
A. Brown, who had been with him in mill- work at Smithfield,
R.I., and remained as overseer in the carding-room until 1836.
During a i)art of this time Amos D. Ix>ckwood, a young man from.
Providence, was receiving his first lessons in manufacturing at
the Orleans mill. lie developed unusual skill in mechanics and
was placed in charge of the weaving room. He afterwards be-
came a wealthy manufacturer.
It is worthy of mention, too, that John C. Marvel came from the
Village and took charge of the factory store for a time.
In 1865, David S. Harris of Providence purchased a controlling
interest in the property, Mr. Peck retaining one-fourth, and prep-
arations were made for resuming business. Before these arrange-
ments were complete the property was sold to Nathaniel G.
Guild, who at once began to enlarge the mill, putting in new looms,
self-operating mules, auxiliary steam-power, apparatus for heating
by steam, etc. Mr. Guild continued to manufacture print-cloths
until 1869, when he removed the looms and made important
changes in the machinery for the manufacture of thread. This
business soon after declined, and attention was turned to hosiery,
and this was the principal article manufactured until 1874, when
'The date given by Wm. L. King, son-in-law of Benjamin Peck.
270 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
Mr. Guild suspended business. The mill remained idle till 1875»
when the property was sold to the Cutler Manufacturing Com-
pany of Warren, R.I., Capt. Charles R. Cutler, treasurer, which
still made a specialty of hosiery yam, turning out about 5,000
lbs. weekly. The building at this time consisted of a one-story
factory 40 by 80 feet for mules, an engine-house, a large storage
building with capacity for storing 300 bales of cotton, an office
and packing room, all substantial buildings of stone. It was
equipped with first-class machinery, and under the efficient super-
intendence of Mr. G. C. Hutchins. This factory was burned on
Wednesday morning, March 5, 1884, doubtless the work of an
incendiary. The loss was estimated at $20,000, fully insured.
Only the stone walls were left standing, and these ruins con-
tinued to stand through the years a sombre blot on the land-
scape, until within the last few years, when most of the rubbish
has been removed.
In March, 1911, the Bristol and Warren Water- Works, finding
the water-supply of these cities inadequate, bought the Orleans
Mills property of Kandar Kandarian. The purchase included
land lying around the old dam, the flowage rights, most of which
were acquired as far back as 1828 or earlier, and an undivided
one-half interest in the reservoir on Bad Luck Brook, as well
as many acres of adjacent land. The dam at Orleans Mills was
rebuilt to its former height and an eighteen-incb pipe was laid
following the east bank of Palmer's River to the company's res-
ervoir in Warren.
Since the first week in September, 1912, water has been flowing
by gravity through this pipe from the reservoir at Orleans Factory
to the Warren reservoir, at the rate of about one million gallons
per twenty-four hours. The dam at Bad Luck Brook was found
to be in a very dangerous condition, and in 1913 it was entirely
rebuilt at an expense of about $30,000.
Note
This locality is often called Shad Factory, being at Uie head
of tide-water, where large shoals of shad and herring were wont
to come up the river in the spring to spawn. The herring would
come in large quantities over tlie old dam as far as Rehoboth
Village, and sometimes shad would be seen above the dam. At
the right time some of the men of the town who enjoyed the sport
REHOBOTH MANUFACTURES 271
would proceed to the river with their nets to catch the shad; in
some instances they would salt them for future use. As they
were not allowed to cast their nets until sunset, there was a rush
to secure the best places. After a time the town was accustomed
to sell the right to the highest bidder. In recent years, on account
of so many traps set further down the river, few shad have come
up so far, and the interest has declined.
PERRYVILLE
The old Perry homestead, where Ezra Perry and his descendants
lived, was located on what is now Ash Street near the source of the
Perry Stream, which is the west branch of Palmer's River. Three-
fourths of a mile further north, on a small tributary, Ezra Perry
manufactured the first bobbins for cotton factories in the country.
They were used at the Slater Mill in Pawtucket and later at
other mills. His son Ezra, Jr., known as Dca. Ezra, had six sons,
and together they ran a saw-mill on Ash Street, with a blacksmith
shop in the basement and a turning shop in the upper part where
many bobbins were turned.
In 1831, Daniel, one of the sons, came down the stream about
a mile and a half and bought a farm in what is now Perryville.
On this part of the stream a turning shop had been erected about
1820 by Cyrel Bullock, son-in-law of Dea. Ezra Perry, who car-
ried on a small business here for several years.
Soon after Daniel Perry settled here he started the turning
business for himself, while the brothers Otis and William continued
the business at the old place until about 1840, when Otis came
down the stream and bought a part of the water privilege and
buildings of Daniel and each operated a turning shop. A few
years later they started a grist-mill. Meanwhile William con-
tinued business at the old mill until 1850, when Dea. Ezra Perry
died and the homestead soon came into possession of Stephen
Perry, another branch of the family.
At about this time Otis at Perryville bought out his brother
Daniel's interest and built a sawmill which is still in operation.
About 1825, James Perry, also a son of Dea. Ezra, had come to
the place and built the house in which Charles Perry now resides.
In about 1850 his son James H. started to make tool-handles,
first in the basement of the old mill, then in the old building Cyrd
Bullock had used, and in 1859 he built a new turning shop still
272 HISTORY OF REHOBOTII
further down the stream. In 18G5 Charles Perry bought a half-
interest in the business and the firm-name was James H. Perry
& Co. They manufactured a large variety of goods such as butter-
molds, rolling-pins» chisel- and auger-handles, brush-handles,
mallets and mauls from lignum-vitae and hickory, ice-picks,
horse-rackets, threshing-flails, etc.
In 1871 Charles Perry became sole owner, and the following
year sold a half interest to Edwin Perry, and the firm-name be-
came Charles Perry & Co. After 1890 it was the Charles Perry
Mfg. Co., and in 1892 Mr. Perr>' withdrew from the concern,
which soon went out of business and has since owned and operated
the sawmill and gristmill.
SOME LESSER MANUFACTURES
In addition to the industries of the Orleans factory, Rehoboth
Village and Perryviile, there were numerous smaller enterprises
carried on for the most part by individuals. Here and there were
small shops where coopering was done, or where the wheelwright,
or the shoemaker, or the blacksmith plied his trade. The cobbler
would sometimes have a work-room in his own house.
As Perryviile had its manufactures on the West Branch of Pal-
mer's River, so there were also industries established at an early
period on the East Branch of the same stream.
Not far from the rise of this stream near Great Meadow Hill,
the Pecks had an iron-forging plant before the middle of the eigh-
teenth century. This enterprise was founded by Ebenezer Peck,
who was born in 1697. He was the eldest son of Jathniel Peck,
one of the first settlers at Palmer's River. The iron ore was
brought from Bristol by ox-teams to Peck's forge, where it was
freed from impurities and rendered malleable in a furnace, and then
by hammers, including a trip-hammer, was forged into bars
or other forms suitable to the blacksmith's art. It is notable
that blacksmithing was carried on here extensively by three suc-
cessive generations of Pecks. At this forge were fashioned vari-
ous implements of agriculture, plows, harrow-teeth, chains, tires,
iron braces for wagons, etc. This forge privilege was located on
a lane leading off Fairview Avenue, which runs from Cyril
Peck's store direct to Taunton. The ancient dam is well pre-
served, but only the cellar and well of the Old Peck homestead
are now to be seen.
REHOBOTH MANUFACTURES 273
On this forge privilege Peddy Peck, daughter of Cromwell
Peck, was born and reared, who became the mother of Leonard
C. Bliss, the distinguished promoter of the Regal Shoe Co.
In connection with the iron business the Pecks also operated
a sawmill and gristmill; and after the forge became silent nearly
a century ago, Mr. Horace West reconstructed the mill and con-
tinued to saw lumber and introduced a lathe for turning bobbins,
and also machinery for making cotton batting. Mr. Ira A. Peck,
author of the Peck Genealogy, says that when he visited this
forge privilege in 1862 some of the cotton machinery still remained,
though the mill had been for some time neglected.
Mr. West built the cottage which still stands in good condition
near the mill and is occupied by Mr. James Peck, a lineal descend-
ant of Ebcnezer. The old mill is also standing after more than
fifty years of quiet. One may still pick up pieces of iron slag
from the partly imbedded mass, deposited perhaps a hundred and
fifty years ago. There was doubtless a larger flow of water than
now in this and other streams in those days of more abundant
forests.
Half a mile or so farther down this stream Mr. Francis Car-
penter and his brother Joseph operated a grist-mill, a saw-mill
and a shingle-mill. To the grist-mill here, farmers for miles around
brought their corn, rye, and wheat to be ground into meal and flour.
To the casual passer-by there is to-day scarcely a sign of these
former activities. Mills, millers and patrons have long since
passed away and are forgotten.
It may be mentioned that there was formerly a saw-mill on the
"Bad Luck" branch of this stream, just before it crosses the County
road, near the home of Frank Goff, owned by Cromwell Bliss,
who sold the then unused privilege to Nelson Goff about the year
1837. There was also another mill at the reservoir, whose ancient
dam was standing in 1837, the year that Nelson and Darius Goff
built theirs for the Rehoboth Union Manufacturing Company.
Besides the mill privileges just named, there were, as late as
1850, several saw-mills and grist-mills and at least one shingle-
mill on Rocky River, in the south part of the town, and a turning
shop on Cole's Brook; also a shoe-string mill owned by Samuel
West and run by his son Nathan. He made the metal tips and
fastened them to the ends of the strings. Also on Cole's Brook,
Joshua Pierce, a Revolutionary soldier (born 1754), had a shop
IS
274 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
and made knee-buckles, and his son Joshua (bom 1797), an expert
tanner and blacksmith, manufactured on the same stream the
first cast-iron plows made in New England, the casting being done
in Albany, N.Y. For these he made his own models. He also
made clothes-pins out of maplewood in large lots and sold them
in New York and Albany.
In addition to his manufacturing interests, Mr. Pierce carried
on his large farm of three hundred acres.
Near the mouth of Rocky River, the Thurber's had a grist-
mill until recently, which was largely patronized, and about half
a mile up the stream Benjamin Martin had a saw-mill and shingle-
mill, and part of the old walls are still standing. Near the source
of the same stream at Oak Swamp there was also a saw-mill and
grist-mill owned by Samuel Baker, and still another mill below
in the Horton and Martin neighborhood. Several of these old
mills had a turning shop connected.
Statistical information gathered by the Rehoboth assessors by
order of the General Court in 1856 gives the following interesting
facts respecting manufactures in the town for the year ending
June 1, 1855:
Hogshead hoops prepared for market, 333,800, valued at S6,676.
Nail-keg hoops, 597,000, valued at SI, 791. Persons employed,
16.
Lumber prepared for market, 31 1,000 ft., valued at SI, 075. Three
persons employed.
Firewood prepared for market, 2,717 cords, valued at {10,868.
Number employed, 40.
Charcoal made, 50,100 bushels; valued at {12,525. Number of
persons employed, 35.
Cotton Mills, 3;^ spindles 2,504; cotton consumed (in manufac-
ture) 185,000 lbs. Cloth made, 350,000 yards. Printing
cloths 60x64; value of cloth, {17,000. Batting made»
85,000 lbs.; value of batting, {5,000. Capital, {32,000.
Males employed, 29; females, 34.
'Horace West was at that time running a batting mill at the iron forging
Krivilege near Great Meadow Hill, which with the Village Mill and the Or-
»ins Factory made the three cotton-mills reported.
CHAITER XIII
llEHOBOTH CEMETERIES
There are more tliaii twenty-five burial places within the limits
of Rehoboth. Some of these are small family yards in which no
one has been buried for many years, and which in most cases
are sadly neglected.
When beloved members of the household die, there is sincere
mourning and a desire to honor them by some fitting memorial.
After a time the family becomes broken and scattered or other
interests absorb the mind. The dead are neglected and their
resting-places become overgrown with bushes and herbage. The
precious "God's acre" becomes again common ground to be fur-
rowed by the plow or built upon.
A few of these old graveyards are important to the historian
because of their age and of the once prominent people who are
buried in them. The two oldest yards in town are the first Pal-
mer's River Churchyard and the Peck yard on the west bank of
the river.
The Village Cemetery is most widely known as being the
churchyard of the second meeting-house, and because of its
central location and well-kept condition. In fact, most of the
burials in town are now made in this yard, and in numerous in-
stances bodies have been Uiken up from the small family lots
and reburicd here, where perpetual care may be assured.
This yard was set apart in 1773 and the second meeting-
house was built upon it the same year. The house stood on what
is now the north side of Wheaton Avenue, and faced the south»
its front portion in part the space now occupied by the William
Blanding and the William Wheaton lots; the structure running
back northward fifty feet. The first burial was that of an infant
son of Samuel and Lydia Carpenter who died Aug. 22, 1774.
On the seventeenth of February, 1776, Ephraim Hunt died
aged seventy-six and was buried near the northwest corner of the
church. By his will he left the parish an estate thought to be
worth ten thousand dollars. His fitting epitaph reads as follows:
276 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
''Within this silent grave his body lies.
Whose liberal soul did liberal things devise.
What God first gave by him was freely given
To further others in their way to heaven.
In peace lie died with joyful hope to rise
And live with Jesus far above tlie skies.
The righteous he in everlasting remembrance.*'
In 1829 some of the citizens, feeling the need of a tomb and a
suitable hearse, united to form the Vault and Hearse Association,
choosing Daniel L. Wilmarth, James Blanding, and Joseph Lake
as the prudential committee. The tomb or vault was finished the
same year, and Captain Shubael Golf was appointed keeper. A
hearse was also purchased and placed in the care of Jonathan
Wlieaton, Jr. The expense of both was five hundred and forty
dollars and was shared among the fifty-three ''proprietors."
The terms agreed upon for the use of the hearse and vault by
persons outside the proprietors were "fifty cents the first mile,
ten cents all over, and twenty-five cents a week for the use of the
vault, and twenty-five cents to the keeper of tlie vault every time
he shall open the same to receive or deliver a corpse.'* This hearse
did service until 1860, when it was voted to buy a "second handed"
hearse with De Witt C. Carpenter as caretaker. This second
hearse also had its day and was marked for oblivion, and may still
be seen on its way, — a curious relic of former days.
Not until 1866 was any addition made to the old churchyard,
from which the church had been moved twenty-six years l)efore,
but in this year the Rehoboth Cemetery Association was formed
through the initiative of George N. Goff, who, together witli
Nathan IT. Earle and George H. Carpenter, constituted the pru-
dential committee, and purchased of the town the so-called new
part, in which most of the burials have been made for the past
fifty years. This part in turn l>econiing crowdeil, it was decided
in 1913 to enlarge the yard. This was done by the revived Vault
and Hearse Association, now changed to the Rehoboth Cemetery
Association, the old organization of that name having lapsed.
Two acres on the south side of the yard were purchased and walled,
a well dug, and a plot made of the cemetery. To-day the whole
yard shows great improvement over its condition five years ago.
Mr. Frank W. Cole, who plotted the yard, gives the following
names of Revolutionary soldiers who are buried here: liieutenant
REHOBOTH CEMETERIES 277
James Croswell, Captain Jonathan Drown, Lieutenant James Hor-
ton, Colonel Christopher Blanding, James Bliss, M.D., Ebenezer
Fuller, Colonel Thomas Carpenter, Sylvanus Peck. He also gives
the names of twenty-nine soldiers who participated in the war of
the rebellion.^
The oldest person buried here is Sara, wife of John Bliss, and
daughter of Joshua Smith, who died March 20, 1855, aged 102
years, 5 mos.
Deacon Ephraim Bliss, who died Jan. 6, 1778, has the following
epitaph : —
"The greedy worms devour my skin.
And gnaw my wasting flesh;
When God shall build my bones again
He clothes them all afresh."
The cemetery is now in excellent condition. It has grown until
it contains more than two thousand graves, which is about the
number of the town's inhabitants. Many of the lots are under
perpetual care through funds entrusted to the town by interested
parties. These trust-funds amount to $6,416, the interest of
which is applied to different yards, but mainly to the one at the
Village. For several years the town has chosen Mr. Henry T.
Horton to look after the lots thus provided for, and to him much
credit is due for his interest and pains in making not only the lots
which fall to his care, but the entire yards, neat and attractive.
Among the names of those buried here are. Rev. Robert Roger-
son and wife Betty, Rev. Otis Thompson and his first wife Rachel,
Elder Nathan Pierce and Elder Preserved Pierce, Drs. James
Bliss, Isaac Fowler, Royal Carpenter, James Chipman; also Caro-
line Carpenter, fiancee of Leonard Bliss, Jr.*
' Capt. Otis Haker, Lieut. Arnold De Forest Brown, James S. Chipman.
M.D., Abram O. Blanding, M.D., Hiram H. Drown, Ebenezer M. Lane.
Henry F. Frost, Allen B. Luther, James F. Moulton, Mark O. Wheaton,
Benjamin C. Munroe, Thomas Hill, Lieut. James P. Brown, James J. Thatcher,
Edwin H. Bliss, James M. Jxiwis, Lieut, Cyrus M. Wheaton, Capt. Leonard
Drown, Henry C. Goff, Thomas Bliss, Henry Meyers, William S. Reynolds,
Cornelius Bliss, Joseph Borden, Hale S. Luther, Augustus W. Carpenter,
Wheaton L. Bliss, Thomas S. Parker.
'Some of the oldest anil commonest family names represented in this vard
arc Bliss, Peck, Carpenter, Golf, Islanding, Wheaton, Bowen, Horton, Bullock,
Brown, Pierce (variously spelled), Wheeler, Allen or Allyn, Perry, Hunt,
Heed, Baker, Wilmarth, llogerson. Lake, Smith, Frost, Fuller, Nash, Cushing.
Marvel, King, Lane, Martin, Fowler, Earle, Abell, Newman, Redway, Moul-
ton. Hicks, Cole, Luther, Viall, Medbury, Kent, Lindsey, Jacobs, and Gardner.
278 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
THE PALMER'S RIVER CHURCHYARD
This is the oldest cemetery in town. Burials were made here
even before the Palmer's River Meeting-house was built in 1721.
Bliss, in his History, says the house "stood on a small elevation
about half a mile northwest of the Orleans Factory," and that it
is sometimes called "Burial Place Hill."
The churchyard consisted of three acres which were given by
Jathniel Peck, Captain Samuel Peck, and Jonathan Bliss. In thb
old yard, covered with a thick growth of sweet fern, green-brier,
and other coarse herbage, "the forefathers of the hamlet sleep."
Their lichen-patched tablets of blue slate are well preserved,
and by persevering effort we have deciphered most of them.
By a singular coincidence the cemetery near Scott's black-
smith-shop, about half a mile southeast of the Orleans Factory,
contains three acres and the spot is called "Burial Place Hill."
For this reason some have supposed that the latter was the real
Palmer's River Churchyard. But this cannot be, for several
reasons: first, because the churchyard was northwest of the fac-
tory; in the second place, because the burials began here some
years earlier than in the other place, — as early at least as
1717, whereas there the first recorded burial was in 1734; and
in the third place, because in this old yard "in his church-
yard," as Bliss states. Rev. David Turner, the first pastor of the
church, was buried, who died in 1745, and near him his strong
supporter, Mr. Jathniel Peck, whose well-preserved stone of slate
is inscribed as follows : —
•
"In memory of Mr. Jathniel Peck, deceased
April y« 5th 1742 in y« 82nd year of his age. Rev.
14: 13. "Blessed are y® dead which die in y® Lord,
etc."
Beside him rests his wife with this inscription : —
"Here lies the body of Mrs. Sarah Peck, y« wife
of Mr. Jathniel Peck, dec** June y« 4th 1717 in y«
47th year of her age.
**The sweet remembrance of y« just
Shall flourish when they sleep in dust."
Ps. 112:6.
Jathniel Peck was the son of Joseph, who came from England
to Hingham and thence to Old Rehoboth in 1645, and settled on
the west bank of Palmer's River in 1660. Jathniel was also the
REHOBOTH CEMETERIES 279
father of Ebcnezer, who founded the iron-forging privilege near
Great Meadow Hill, and who also is buried in this place with others
of the name.
"In Memory of
Capt. Ebenezer
Peck
who Departed
this Life Septem^
18th 1760. m the
64th Year of his
Age."
His wife was Margaret Whitaker, whom he married Aug. 12»
1724. She survived him and married Capt. Nathaniel Bliss. She
died June 25, 1774, in her 7 2d year and is buried here.
Several of their ten children rest in this lot, as James, Hannah
and Col. Shubael, who held a colonel's commission. He married
Huldah Hunt; their daughter Huldah sleeps beside her parents;
she died Nov. 18, 1760. Another daughter, Elizabeth, died Oct.
30, 1775, in the 19th year of her age, and has in part this epitaph: —
"Survivors, attend, who thoughtless, young and gay
Now whirl your lives in giddiness away.
Stop your career; Behold this speaking stone;
Think on her fate and tremble at your own."
Another stone bears the name of Capt. Thomas Peck (son of
Pelcg), died April 5, 1763, in the 63d year of his age. Mt. 24: 44.
Here rests also Benjamin Peck (son of Jathniel), who died Aug.
10, 1749, in his 44th year; and Elizabeth, his wife, who died April
15, 1731, in her 27th year.
In this old churchyard are buried also several generations of
Blisses : —
"Here lyeth the
body of Jonathan
Bliss who de-
parted this life
October y« 10th
1719 in y« 54 ^
Year of his age."
Jonathan was the son of Jonathan and Miriam Harmon and
grandson of Thomas, of the Newman colony of 1643, and one of
the first settlers on Palmer's River. He was one of three to
give an acre of ground for the site of the meeting-house. He
married Miriam Carpenter.
280 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
A companion stone reads: —
"In Memory of
Jonathan Bliss
who departed
This life May 3,
Anno Dom. 1770
In the 78th year of
His age/
»t
He was the son of the former and Miriam Carpenter, and re-
sided on or near the Bliss homestead all his days.
A third stone marks a brother's grave: —
"In Memory of
Mr. Elisha Bliss
who died
March 15, 1793
Aged 95 years."
Elisha, son of Jonathan and Miriam (Carpenter), married Mar-
garet Newman and lived on the home place.
The next stone in order marks the fifth generation : —
"In Memory of
Mr. Elisha Bliss
died Nov. 1778
in the 47th year
of his age."
He was the son of Elisha and Margaret Newman. He lived on
the home place until he enlisted and served three years in the
Revolutionary War. He died in the army of small-pox. His wife
was Ruth Thomas Bliss, who died March 3, 1807, in her 7Sth
year. The Bliss homestead is half a mile north of the old yard
near the then parsonage on Wheeler Street, and now owned by
Waldo Graves, a descendant.
Here are memorial stones to several children of Lieut. Ephraim
and Rachel (Carpenter) Bliss: Noah, Jonathan, Lydia, and Ben-
jamin. Lieut. Ephraim was the son of Jonathan and Miriam
(Carpenter). They had twelve children. His stone was not found,
but may have been overlooked in the dense bushes.
One of the earliest burials was that of David Bliss, "Dec^ Sept.
ye 6th, 1720, in y© 26th year of his age."
Judith, wife of Abiah Bliss, died Oct. 10, 1755, in her 22d year.
Among the early settlers along the Palmer's River were the
REIIOBarH CEMETERIES 281
Fullers, some of whom are buried in tliis yard. Ensign Ebenezer
Fuller died Oct. 2, 1773, in the 69th year of his age. Rachel his
wife died Oct. 25, 1788, in her 83d year. Their daughter, Judith,
"Deed Deceml>er yc 2Gth, 1751, in yc 18th year of her age." She
is made to say : —
**Ripe for heaven, my soul ascending flew
And early hid this sinful world adieu :
Short was my time, y*^ longer is my rest
In y® eternal Mansions of y® Blest."
Aaron Fuller died May 2, 1789, in his 74th year. Bethiah, his
wife, died April 16, 1765.
Dorothy, wife of Samuel Fuller, died Sept. 17, 1772, in her 93d
year; and Hannah, wife of Timothy, died Jan. 25, 1748-9, in her
36th year.
The Smiths were another of the early families in this community.
Deacon Joshua Smith was prominent at the very beginning of the
settlement. He died Dec. 10, 1743, in the fifty-first year of his
age. On his stone is tliis epitaph: —
"Though a little while here
He had his shear
Of sorrow, grief & pain;
His Sole we Trust
Is with the Just
Where it shall ever reign."
"In Memory of Mrs. Mary Smith, wife of Mr.
Joshua Smith, who died April 3d, 1795, in the 95th
year of her age."
Others are Thomas Smith (87) and his wife Rebecca (76).
**In Memory of Delivercncc Smith, late Wife of
Mr. Samuel Smith, who died Dec. 23, 1775, in the
43d Year of her Age."
"My flesh shall slumber in the ground
Till the last Trumpet's joyful Sound
Then burst the Chains with Sweet Surprise
And in my Savior's Image rise."
"In Memory of Mrs. Sarah Smith, late Wife of
Mr. Ebenezer Smith, died April 9, 1762, in y« 25th
Year of her Age."
Here rest also several members of the Moulton family: —
"Here lies the Remains of Deacon Stephen Moul-
ton. He departed this Life September 12, 1786,
in y« 90th Year of his Age."
282 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
He was chosen deacon of the Palmer's River Church in 1760.
''In memory of Mrs. Rebecca Moulton, late wife
of Cap. Stephen Moulton, dec<l August 26, 1769, in
the 70th Year of her Age."
Stephen Moulton, Jr., died Jan. 4, 1776, in his 38th year.
The Widow Hannah Moulton died Nov. 5, 1777, in her 41st
year.
"And I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto
me» Write Blessed are the dead," etc.
Here are also several stones to the Carpenter family: —
"In Memory of Capt. Abiah Carpenter Deed July
1743 in y« 53d year of his Age."
"In Memory of Mrs Experience Carpenter, Re-
lict of Capt. Abiah Carpenter, late of Rehoboth,
Deceased who Died Dec. 21st 1775 in the 83d year of
her Age."
Among the early burials in this God's acre are the Burrs: —
"Here lyeth the Body of Simon Burr who dyed
March y« 12, 1722. in y« 69th year of his age."
"In Memory of Mr. Simon Burr who deceased
Septr 2, 1783 in the 91st year of his Age."
Still another stone is inscribed as follows: —
"Mrs. Huldah Jacob wife of Wilson Jacob who
died Oct. 24, 1770, in her 22d year;
Here lies my body dressed in dust;
My soul with him that gave it first;
My body here in dust must lay
Until the great tremendous day."
Here are the names of Barker, Allen, Joy, Baldwin, Wheeler,
Ingalls» and Mary, wife of Peter Hunt, who died Dec. 10, 1754,
in her 71st year.
The town has always claimed this three-acre lot, and has buried
its paupers here, but outside the sacred circle of the ancient and
honored dead.
Close by is the small family yard where Joseph Lake, son of
Laban and Patience, and some members of his family, are buried.
He died Oct. 6, 1843, aged 65 years. His wife Eleanor Williams
Lake died March 6, 1862, aged 87 years.
REHOBOTH CEMETERIES 283
THE PECK CEMETERY
The Peck Cemetery is situated on the west bank of the Palmer's
River, about half a mile from the public road, in the vicinity of
the William Covill residence, and is at the present time a part of
the Thomas Reynolds farm (Summer Street). It has been neg-
lected for many years and is overgrown with bushes and trees.
The last burial in this lot was that of Dean Chace, July 2» 1887»
at which the writer oflSciated. It is a very old yard where some
of the earliest settlers along the Palmer's River were buried, in-
cluding Pecks, Covills, Barneys, Chaces, AUyns, and Lakes. The
oldest grave is that of Capt. Samuel Peck. On the jGlne old slate
stone is the Peck coat of arms with this inscription: —
"Here lies interred y« body of Cptn. Samuel Peck,
Dec<l June y« 9th, Anno Domini 1736 in y« 64th
year of his age.
**To me 'twas given to die.
To thee 'twas given to live:
Alas! one moment sets us even
Mark how impartial is the Will of Heaven."
His wife's stone is inscribed as follows: —
**In memory of Mrs. Rachel Peck, Relict of Cap.
Samuel Peck, Dec** November y® 2nd 1756 in y*
81st year of her age."
He was the son of Joseph and brother of Jathniel. He set apart
this yard from his own farm which he had inherited from his
father who resided on this intervale near Wm. Covill's (see Feck
Genealogy).
Samuel Peck, Jr., son of the former, died Nov. 26, 1788, in the
82d year of his age, "Who was an eld*" of a C**^ of Christ in Reho-
both 40^y years. Having served his generation by y« will of Grod
Fell asleep in Jesus ended his life with ye words of y« Holy Apostle
Sec" Timothy 4th Chapt 7th Verse.
"With Heavenly Weapons I have fought
The Battles of the Lord.
Finished my Corse & kept y® Faith,
And waiglit the sure Reward."
Other Pecks buried here are Isaac, George, Perez and wife Ex-
perience, and Samuel 2d; also Abiezer, son of Capt. Samuel, who
lived on the home farm, where he died in 1800, aged 87.
2S4 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
The only monument in this yard is erected to the memory of
William CovilI» who died April 18, 1859, in the 77th year of his
age. His wife Lydia Covill died May 30, 1875, in the 84th year
of her age.
Mr. Covin's residence was on the intervale not far from tliis
yard, on the land formerly occupied by the Pecks, but scarcely
a trace of it remains. William W. Blanding, in his 98th year, re-
calls him as a well-to-do citizen whom he once called upon at his
home to negotiate a money loan.
Among the Lakes buried here are Elnathan and his wife Susanna;
George and his wife Nancy; Horace and Albert.
One interesting stone gives the Chace genealogy thus: —
"Grindal Chace
Died June 10, 1843.
Was the son of Elisha Chace who was born Dec.
15, 1712, who was the son of John Chace who was
bom Apr. 6th, 1675. Died Novr 26, 1755."
BURIAL PLACE HILL CEMETERY
This yard, at the Junction of Peckham and Providence Streets,
contains some 250 graves. The two oldest persons buried here are
Darius West who died Dec. 15, 1827, in his 91st year, and Patsy
Mason, May 21, 1885, in her 92d year.
The most elaborate memorial is a fine horizontal marble slab
which rests on four stone columns, inscribed in part as follows:
''This stone perpetuates the memory of the Honorable Simeon
Martin, fourth son of Sylvanus Martin, Esq., and Mrs. Martha,
his wife, and the fourth generation from John Martin who emi-
grated from England in 1665. He was born in Rehoboth, Oct.
20, A.D. 1754, and died Sept. 30, 1819, aged 64 years, 11 months
and 10 days. He was one of the first who stepped forward in his
country's cause in tlie Revolutionary War, and was in the battle
at Trenton under General Washington in 1776. In December,
1779, after the British evacuated Newport, he removed to that
place and was for a number of years chosen a representative
from that town to the General Assembly. He was Major-General
of the state militia, and was for several years elected Governor.
He was a member of the Corporation of Brown University. He
was a man of excellent sense, a gentleman in his manners, benev-
olent and courteous, and highly respected.
REHOBOTH CEMETERIES 286
Adieu, thou sun, ye stars and moon,
No longer shall I need your light;
My God's my sun; He makes my noon;
My day shall never change to night."
Near by is a stone inscribed with the name of Silvanus Martin,
father of the former, who was captain of the third company*
Col. Thos. Carpenter *s regiment, in the Revolution, and prominent
in town affairs. He was born in Rehoboth, July 1, 1727, the only
son of Edward and Rebecca (Peck) Martin. He married Martha,
eldest daughter of Col. Philip and Martha (Salisbury) Wheeler.
He died Aug. 13, 1782, aged 55 years (John,* John,* Ephraim,*
Edward,* Silvauus,* Simeon*).
Several members of the Miller family are buried here. One
of the stones was erected by the widow to the memory of Caleb
Miller, M.D., who departed this life in Bristol, R.I., on the 13th
of November, 1826, in the 40th year of his age.
"In all the relations of life he was a man.
Friendship, esteem and fame could not save
The much regretted from the untimely grave."
A long epitaph follows.
Another stone records at length the death of Dr. Miller's two
children, a son and daughter, and of Mary Ann (Bucklin), his
wife, with an epitaph for each child. Another stone marks the
grave of Capt. Joshua Miller who was born Jan. 18, 1789; died
Feb. 24, 1850. He lived at the foot of the hill on the east bank
of Palmer's River, where he had a tannery and manufactured
morocco leather.
**In peaceful quiet lies
His dust beneath the sod;
The soul that never dies
Has flown to meet its God."
Capt. Joshua was the son of Philip and brother of Dr. Caleb.
Another brother, Dr. Nathaniel, is buried at Franklin, Mass.
A peculiar epitaph marks the stone of Seth W. Miller who died
Mny 30. 1848, aged 47 years: —
**My wife from me departed
And robbed me like a knave;
Which caused me broken hearted
To descend into my grave.
286 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
My children took an active part.
And to doom me did contrive*
Which stuck a dagger in my heart
Which I could not survive."
Poor forsaken man! Even the grave tells of his domestic bitter-
ness.
Some of the Wheeler inscriptions are as follows: ''Lt. Jeremiah
Wheeler, born March 23, 1731; died Feb. 26, 1811. He was
commissioned 2d I^t. of militia in the 1st Mass. regiment Sept.
3d 1767. He was the son of James and Elizabeth Wheeler; mar-
ried at Rehoboth, Jan. 4, 1753, Submit Horton, who died April
18, 1778; and at Brooklyn, Ct., for his 2d wife Elizabeth Troop,
Oct. 27, 1778, who died April 9, 1788."
Another stone has the name of Captain Philip Wheeler, who
died at Rehoboth Sept. 19, 1765, in his 66th year (date on his
tombstone). He is often called "Col.** Wheeler. His epitaph
reads: —
"O death, though thou hast conquered me
I by thy dart am slain;
But Christ hath vanquished thee,
And I shall rise again."
His wife, Martha (Ingalls), died Aug. 15, 1745, in her 47th year.
''Time hastens on the hour
When I shall wake and sing,
O grave, where is thy power,
O death, where is thy sting?"
''Col." Philip was the father of Philip who has been accepted
by the D. A. R. as "Patriot" of the Revolution, and grandfather
of Shubael, a Revolutionary soldier. Philip the son is said to be
buried in this yard. Captain or "Col." Philip was the son of
James and Grizzell (Squier) Wheeler. (James,* Philip,* Philip,'
Shubael^, Lavina' married Edward Horton.)
Another Revolutionary soldier, Col. Frederick Drown, is buried
in this yard. 1743-1804.
Also two Civil War veterans: Henry Clay Trenn and Darius
West.
On one family stone the following is inscribed :
"Daniel Thurber aged 66 yrs.
Nathaniel 87 yrs.
Lois 71 yrs.
BEHOBOTH CEMETERIES 287
Polly 45 yrs.
Polly Bullock 63 yrs.
Chloe 73 yrs.
Nancy 83 yrs.
Abel 82 yrs.
99
Another interesting old stone has this inscription: —
"Here lyeth buried y* body of Mr. Ephrahim
Wheaton, Elder of Y« first church in Swanscey who
having faithfully served God & his generation in y^
Gospel for y« space of thirty years, fell asleep in
Jesus with a sure and certain hope of a glorious Res-
urrection to immortal Life. April 26 A.D. 1734 in y*
75th year of his age. John 17: 14, Rev. 13."
Beside this stone is a much smaller one for Mary his wife» who
died in 1747, and one for Rev. John Comer who died in 1734;
also one for Rev. Richard Round, died May 18, 1768.
On the stone to the memory of Elizabeth Wheeler, who died
April 9, 1788, is this inscription: —
"Her family did often share
Her generous love and tender care;
Likewise her friends did also find
A Neighbor that was soft and kind;
She lived on earth greatly desir'd.
Greatly lamented when expired."
The stone in honor of Stephen Bullock has this verse: —
**As you pass by, pray cast your eye —
As you are now so once was I.
As I am now so you must be.
Prepare yourself to follow me."
On a stone with the date of 1823 is this verse: —
"This spot contains the ashes of the just.
Who sought no honors and betrayed no trust.
This truth he proved in every path he trod —
*An honest man's the noblest work of God.* "
THE COLE BROOK AND JOSHUA PIERCE CEMETERIES
This yard is located at the southern border of Manwhague
Swamp, on the west bank of Cole's Brook. It is cared for by **The
Baker and Horton Cemetery Association," incorporated March
16, 1882, with thirteen charter members. John W. Pierce is sec-
retary and E. V. Pierce caretaker. The yard has a neat appear-
ance and most of the stones are of granite.
288 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
Back from the road is an old part, formerly known as the "Baker
Burying Ground," where most of the graves are marked by rude,
unlettered stones more than a century old. In this part is buried
James C. Baker who died Sept. 2, 1859, aged 70 years, a veteran
of 1812.
"His days and nights of affliction are o'er.
He has gone to rest on Canaan's shore."
"Erected by his widow."
Close beside him is the grave of his daughter, Mary A. Baker,
who died Dec. 8, 1863, in the 23d year of her age.
"Fold her, O Father, in thine arms
And let her henceforth be
A messenger of love between
Our human hearts and thee."
His wife Emeline also rests beside him, but without a stone.
She was for many years housekeeper for J. Hiram Pierce. Shie
died May 7, 1887, aged 65 years.
According to Mrs. Patience Pierce Baker, who was born in
1792, Jotham Horton', son of Thomas\ was buried in this old
part. He lived half a mile away down Barney Lane on the Bos-
worth-Buffinton place. Doubtless other members of his family
rest here, although their graves are unmarked.
James Baker, 1758-1829. His wife Hannah (Manchester),
1752-1837.
John Baker (son of James and Hannah) 1784-1836. His wife
Mary K. (Martin), 1799-1856.
Levi Baker (son of John and Mary), 1824-1909. His wife
Angeline (Horton, daughter of Aaron and Bethany), 1824-1895.
Beside them rest their two children John F. and Charles Levi.
Nathaniel Baker (son of James and Hannah), died Jan. 10,
1857, aged 63 years. His wife Susan (Pierce, daughter of Henry),
died Nov. 12, 1879. aged 82 years.
Nathaniel Baker, Jr. (of Nathaniel and Susan), died Jan. 11,
1881, aged 51 years. His wife Sarah Ann (Eddy), died Sept. 21,
1886, aged 54 years.
Other children of Nathaniel and Susan were Hannah, 1839-
1863; Susan, 1830-1915; and twin sons — James, 1833-1877;
John, 1833-1883.
Joseph Baker, died Dec. 25, 1842, in his 92d year. Joseph
REHOBOTH CEMETERIES 289
Baker, Jr., died March 30, 1866, aged 88 years. Mason Baker
(son of Joseph), died Jan. 21, 1890, aged 85 years.
Darius Ilorton, died Dec. 24, 1872, aged 63 years. His wife
Harriet (daughter of Joseph Baker, Jr.), died June 3, 1886, aged
77 years.
Their son, Edwin R. M. Horton, Co. A, 3d Rhode Island
Heavy Artillery, died at Hilton Head, S.C., Jan. 17, 1862, aged
22 years.
**Away from his home and the friends of his youth.
He hasted the herald of Mercy and Truth."
Darius M. Horton, 1832-1913. His wife Mary A., 1828-1897.
Hiram Horton, died Sept. 25, 1896, aged 83 years. His wife
Eliza S., died May 15, 1882, aged 72 years.
Their son, John Ed. Horton, 1836-1911. Prominent in town
affairs. His wife Sarah J., died April 13, 1886, aged 43 years. '
Aaron Horton (son of Solomon, Jr.), died Dec. 3, 1854, aged
74 years. His wife Bethany (Baker), died Jan. 31, 1840, aged 66
years.
Nathaniel B. Horton (son of Aaron and Bethany), died Jan. 4,
1900, aged 79 years. Mr. Horton for many years held impor-
tant offices in town. His wife Mary J. (Buffinton), died March
24, 1913. aged 81 years.
Other Hortons buried here are James 2d and Almira his wife
with their children; John and Susanna his wife with their chil-
dren; also Alfred, Eliphalet, and Betsey who died Oct. 14, 1894,
aged 91 years.
Hiram W. Martin, son of Luther and Nancy (Wheeler) Martin,
born Aug. 13, 1812, died June 29, 1892, in his 80th year. His wife
Avis died March 26, 1886, aged 72 years.
Earl P. Martin (son of Luther and Nancy), born Nov. 26, 1810,
died July 7, 1892, aged 81 years. His wife Phoebe C, born May
25, 1810, died June 29, 1884.
Their daughter, Esther P., born Dec. 8, 1840, married Jason
N. Wheaton of Rehoboth, who was born June 10, 1836, died Jan.
29, 1914, aged 77 years. Widow now living (1918).
Luther Ainsworth Martin, born Nov. 8, 1819, died April 1,
1904, aged 84 years. His wife Harriet L., born Oct. 7, 1821
(living). Parents of Frank who married Mary Horton, and Harriet
who married Capt. Otis A. Baker.
19
290 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
One Revolutionary soldier lies here, — Nathaniel Round, who
died in 1850, aged 90 years.
Four Davis brothers, sons of Joseph, are here interred: Joseph
L. Davis, died Nov. 21, 1889, aged 63 years. His wife Mary Ann,
died Dec. 19, 1882, aged 55 years.
Nathaniel L. Davis, 1820-1905.
John A. Davis, died June 22, 1896, aged 87 years. His wife
Melinda A., died Aug. 14, 1887, aged 76 years.
Edmund E. Davis, 1817-1893. His wife Mary (Baker), daugh-
ter of Joseph Baker, senior, born September, 1819 (living).
William L. Pierce (son of Jabez and Abagail), died Aug. 16,
1885, aged 48 years, chairman of School Board many years.
The Pierce lineage is: Capt. Michael,^ Ephraim,' Ephraim,'
Deacon Mial,^ Joshua,' Henry,* Jabez,' William L.', Charles L.,*
John W.,» Clifford L.," Stella" (married Lester M. Briggs).
John Kelton (son of Rev. George Kelton), born July 14, 1818*
died Aug. 6, 1860. His wife Hannah M. (Baker), born Sept. 24,
1819, died May 8, 1899. Two daughters survive: Mary, married
John W. Pierce; Hannah J., married Frank H. Pierce (son of
Joshua).
Levi Bullock, died Feb. 19, 1836, in his 47th year. His wife
Roxanna died Aug. 29, 1878, in her 89th year. Also two daughters,
Ann Maria and Ardelia.
William Hadfield, 1804-1872. His wife Ann T., 1806-1876.
The Wests of this neighborhood are buried either in this yard
or a small yard across the way, adjoining that of Joshua Pierce.
The following are buried in Cole Brook Cemetery : —
Samuel West, son of Benjamin, 1790-1866. His wife, Mary
(Pierce), 1787-1858.
Horace, son of Samuel, 1824r-1861. His wife Betsey, 1823-
1911.
Dexter West, cousin to Samuel, 1834-1913. His wife Julia E.,
1839-1907.
In the small yard opposite lies Benjamin, Jr., brother of Samuel,
1807-1887. Also hU wife Lucinda (Payson) West, 1804-1887.
Also two sisters of Benjamin West, — Eliza and Lydia (wife of
Cromwell Horton). Also Sarah Bray ton, sister of Lucinda Pay-
son West.
Just across the way from the Cole Brook Cemetery is the family
burying ground of Joshua Pierce, who died Nov. 25, 1803, aged
REHOBOTH CEMETERIES 291
49 years. Revolutionary soldier, killed by falling from his horse.
Manufactured knee-buckles on Cole Brook. Susanna (Round)
his wife, died in 1850, aged 97 years.
Joshua Pierce (son of the former) died Nov. 19, 1875, aged 78
years. He made the first cast-iron plows in New England.
Betsy Wheaton, his wife, died in 1890, aged 86 years.
Wilson D. Pierce (son of Joshua, Jr.), 1842-1904. Member of
the Rhode Island Hospital Guard and Veteran of the Civil War.
Wheaton Pierce, brother of Wilson D., killed at the battle of
Cold Harbor, June 6, 1864, aged 32 years.
The family descent is traced as follows: Capt. Michael Pierce,*
b. 1615; Ephraim,' b. ; Ephraim, Jr.,' b. 1674; Dea. Mial/
b. April 24, 1693; Joshua,"^ b. 1726; Joshua,* b. 1754; Joshua,'
b. 1797; Wilson D.,« b. 1842 (one of thirteen children).
niE STEVENS CORNER CEMETERY
This yard is in North Rehoboth, on the road leading to Reho-
both Village (Annawan Street), and is in the care of the Stevens
Corner Association, Mrs. Albert R. Lewis, Secretary. Only one
lot is under perpetual care. There is great need of funds for
putting and keeping in order this interesting old yard. Mr.
Charles F. Wilmarth is caretaker.
More than seven hundred bodies are buried here, with very
few expensive stones. Some of the more distinguished names
are: —
Lemuel Morse, Esq., died March 30, 1869, aged 74 years.
Abagail Morse (wife), died Oct. 5, 1869, aged 73 years. Eliza
Morse (daughter), died June 3, 1865, aged 29 years.
**Shed not for me the bitter tear
Nor give the heart to vain regret:
'Tis but the casket that lies here:
The gem that filled it sparkles yet."
"Squire Morse" was prominent in civic and educational affairs
and was greatly respected.
Amos Round, Revolutionary soldier, died 1815, aged 79 years.
John Round, Revolutionary soldier, died 1847, aged 89 years.
Nathan Hicks, Patriot of the Revolution, died 1845, aged 84
years.
Albert F. Smith, soldier in the Civil War, died 1863, aged 21
years.
292 HISTORY OP REHOBOTII
Charles Boweii, soldier in the Civil War, died 1904, aged 86
years.
Charles W. Bowen (son of Charles), soldier in the Civil War,
died 1902, aged 57 years.
Cyrus A. Bowen (also son of Charles), soldier in the Civil War,
died 1892, aged 44 years.
Other Civil War veterans buried in this yard are:
George L. Davis, died 1864, aged 21 years.
Ira H. Round, died Oct. 19, 1868, aged 23 years.
Jason W. Fuller, 1825-1896, Co. H, 3d Regt. Mass. Vols.
Albert S. Pratt, died 1906, aged 65 years.
Prancis H. Simmons, died at Harpers Perry, 1862, in his 22d
year.
William D. Packard, 1838-1900, Co. G, 4th Mass.
Menzias R. Randall, M.D., died July 23, 1882, aged 88 years.
A popular physician and politician. State Senator, 1859-60.
George H. Randall, M.D. (son of the former), died May 6,
1915, aged 63 years.
Rev. George W. Wallace, 1814-1880. Caroling (his wife), 1816-
1886.
Remember Smith (granite monument), 1822-1891. Prominent
in town affairs and representative to the General Court, 1881.
Othniel Stevens (son of Grenville), died in 1903, aged 82 years.
Jathniel Peck, died in 1812 in the 87th year of his age.
"Stand still, kind reader, spend a tear
Upon the dust that slumbers here:
And when you read the fate of me.
Think on the glass that runs for thee."
He was the son of Ebenezer and Margaret (Whitaker) Peck of
Palmer's River, who established the iron-forging privilege on
Meadow Hill Brook.
Jotham Round died in 1877, aged 72 years:
"We miss thee when the morning dawns;
We miss thee when the night returns.
We miss thee here, we miss thee there.
Father, we miss thee everywhere."
Cephas Keith, died Feb. 16, 1913, aged 85 years.
Jarvis B. Smith (son of Aaron), died Nov. 13, 1894, aged 93
years. Three of his children died in one week of typhoid fever.
Sybil Lane, died Aug. 26, 1910, aged 101 years.
REHOBOTH CEMETERIES 293
Hugh Bullock, died in 1771 in the 65th year of his age.
The earliest recorded burial is Dorcas Bullock, daughter of
Capt. James Bullock, died in 1820 in the 90th year of her age.
In this ancient cemetery there are many unmarked graves, and
some are marked by short, rude stones with no inscription.
A little farther down the road is a small family graveyard in
which a tomb was built in 1848 by Eneas Round, who died soon
after at the age of 75 years. His body remained in the tomb until
his wife Mary died in 1886, aged 93, when she was buried by his
side.
Close to this yard, but within the highway limits, is a very
crude old stone resting on the ground like a grave-stone, with this
rough inscription:
meaning "8 miles to Taunton,"
probably the la^st way-mark of its
kind in town.
M
8
T
THE BRIGGS CORNER CEMETERY
This yard in under the care of the Briggs (Jorncr Cemetery As-
sociation, Mrs. J. J^. Merry, Secretary.
The cemetery has two parts, tlic old or free part and the new,
which was opened about forty-five years ago. In the old part
many of the stones are of blue slate and some of the graves are
more than a hundred years old.
Among the oldest are the names of Samuel Macomber, who
died in 1771, aged 53; Remember Kent, who died in 1773, aged
28; Jacob Kent, who died in 1780; and Samuel Blackinton, who
died in 1803.
Both parts are fairly well kept, but without funds for perpetual
care. A good wall separates the yard from the highway. Many
of the burials have been of Attleborough residents, as a large part
of Briggs Corner lies across the line and within the limits of that
town.
Running parallel with the road is a row of six plain monuments,
four of marble and two of granite, and all of a similar type. One
of these is to the memory of Rev. Thomas Perry, who died Aug.
29, 1852, aged 70; and Seba Perry, who died April 17, 1881, aged
67. A second is inscribed with the name of Joseph Wetherell,
1800-1882. A third to Samuel Sanford, 1773-1884; and to hb
294 HISTORY OF REOHBOTH
only son Samuel Sumner, who died in 1851, aged 15» to whom
the following beautiful epitaph refers: —
"One only bud adorned our bower
And shed its fragrance round;
We watched its opening every hour.
But ah! the Spoiler came in power
And dashed it to the ground.
"Yet not forever in the dust
This cherished bud shall lie;
No! in the garden of the just,
Beneath God's glorious eye, we trust
Twill bloom again on high."
A fourth monument honors Col. Elkanah Briggs, Mass. Militia,
and his son Nelson Briggs, 1822-1891. A fifth (of granite) is in
memory of James Mugg, 1807-1884. The sixth (also of granite)
is to Darius Briggs, 1826-1914.
Enclosed by an iron fence is a stone in honor of Elder David
Steere, once preacher at the Irons Church, not far away, but now
gone and its site obliterated. Died Dec. 1, 1854, in his 64th year.
Another stone bears the name of Elder Samuel Northrup, **min-
ister of the Baptist Church in Rehoboth" (the Irons Church),
died in 1812, aged 58.
On another stone we read:
"In memory of Deacon Ezekial Kent who died
May 17, 1842, in his 98th year. He had been a pro-
fessor of religion 74 years and sustained the office of
Deacon 72 years. The number of his descendants
at the time of his deatli was upwards of 160.
'With long life shall I satisfy him and show him
my salvation.' Ps. 91: 16. In memory of Mrs.
Ruth Kent, consort of Deacon Ezekial Kent.
Died Dec. 8, 1818. In her 74th year. She left 9
children, 60 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren."
Other names are:
Dr. Seth Bellow, died in 1834, aged 43.
Dr. George Fuller, died in 1834, aged 46.
Seneca Sanford, Esq., died in 1852, aged 53.
Names of soldiers or patriots of the Revolution are: Jonathan
Wilmarth, Joseph Barrows, David Perry, Ezra Perry, Ichobod
Perry, Daniel Balkom, Isaac Perry.
These graves are marked with flags, and also the graves of
soldiers in the civil war, whose names follow: James Perry,
REHOBOTH CEMETERIES 295
Mortimer Sherman, George B. Torrey, Asa Hicks, William Cas-
well, Barton Freeman, Vernon Lane, Eli Barrett, Edward Crotty,
Edward Atkinson, Samuel A. Cash, George Thrasher, Aaron B.
Burt.
Other family names may be mentioned, as Smith, Newell,
Ingalls, Miller, Snow, Cole, Reed, Carpenter, Knight, Campbell,
Shaw, Paine, Slater, Worrall, Stoddard, Handy, Slade, Ring,
McCann, Hewitt, Knapp, Howland, Horr, French, Richmond,
Porter, Sumner, Thayer, Gould, Draper, Cranston, Richards,
Dryers, Willis, Downey.
THE SMALLER YARDS
The Wheeler and Horton Cemetery
The Wheeler and Horton Cemetery is located at **Horton's
Signal" and is one of the best private burial-places in the town,
containing about half an acre and enclosed by an excellent wall.
The stones are mostly granite and the yard is under perpetual
care.
Here is buried Shubael Wheeler, a soldier of the Revolution,
born Sept. 29, 1768, in the old Wheeler House across the way,
now gone. He died Feb. 20, 1812.
His father was Philip Wheeler, called Capt. Wheeler, bom at
Rehoboth, May 4, 1733. He was accepted by the D. A. R. as
"Patriot."
His grandfather was Capt. Philip Wheeler, who died in Reho-
both Sept. 19, 1765, in his 66th year. He is designated as ''Colonel
Wheeler."
Shubael's daughter, Lavina, married Simeon Horton, who with
his wife is buried in the Wheeler and Horton yard. He was de-
scended from Solomon Horton of Dighton (Thomas,* Solomon,'
Solomon Jr.,' Daniel,* born Jan. 30, 1749-50, Simeon^). He was
born Sept. 27, 1784, and died 1833. Some of his children are
buried here; Daniel M., 1816-1893, with Adeline his wife, 1833-
1872, and their son-in-law, Albert T. Cobb; Edward Hiram, 1820-
1904, and his two wives Hannah and Maria (Nichols); George
Leonard, 1824-1907, unmarried.
Edward Hiram kept a store nearby for many years. His daugh-
ter Mary, wife of George D. Nichols, is buried here, and his nephew
Hiram Kingman, and wife Isadore (Baker).
296 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
The Esbk Pierce Yard
This ancient biirying-ground is located on the Alfred C. Case
farm, near the Hombine Church. Here several generations of
Pierces are interred. The first burial was that of Capt. Mial
Pierce, son of Dea. Mial and brother of Joshua, who died March
16, 1792, in his 71st year. Patience (Martin), his wife, died Aug.
12, 1770, in her 62d year. Capt. Mial served as town constable
in 1766.
Here lies Henry Pierce, son of Joshua and Mary (Horton),
who died Feb. 12, 1829, in his 79th year.
Lydia Mason, his wife, died Aug. 21, 1839, in her 84th year.
Esek Pierce, son of Henry, died Aug. 4, 1870, in his 84th year.
Czarina (Brown), his wife, died in 1841, in her 47th year.
Esek had a son, Esek Henry, whose place of burial is unknown.
A small monument bears the name Barnard Pierce, brother of
Henry, who died May 6, 1842, aged 78. Mary (Rounds), his wife»
died Nov. 16, 1849, aged 82 years; 1767-1849.
The apparent number of graves is forty-four.
One stone has the name of Abby Pierce, born Jan. 16, 1780;
died Feb. 20, 1869, aged 88.
The line of descent is Capt. Michael,* Ephraim,* Ephraim, Jr.,*
Dea. Mial,^ Joshua,^ Henry,* Esek,' Esek Henry*.
The Peleg Pierce Yard
This cemetery, now neglected and grown up with bushes, is
located on the old Nathan and Peleg Pierce furm, at the end of
Pierce Lane, remote from the highway and within half a mile of
the Horton school-house. Here are buried numerous descendants
of Elder Nathan Pierce, who had sixteen children. One of these
was Peleg, who always lived on the home place, 1766-1828, and
who with his five wives is buried in this lot. Their names are:
Hannah (Martin), Phoebe (Salsbury), Mehitabel (Pierce), Abi
(Martin), and Martha (Cornell). The remains of Elder Nathan
and his son Elder Preserved and others have been transferred to
the Village Cemetery, while the old yard is marked for oblivion.
Beside the lane leading to the old Pierce homestead is the con-
spicuous lot of Isaac Pierce, son of Elder Nathan, a soldier of the
Revolution, 1763-1849; above his grave is a large mound from
the top of which a stone rises plainly inscril)e(l. He was the father
REHOBOTH CEMETERIES 297
of Lyman Pierce, a successful merchant, and grandfather of Hon.
Addison P. Munroe, who has provided a fund for the perpetual
care of the lot.
The Nichols, Cole and Moulton Yard
This enclosure contains one-third of an acre, set off from the
Nichols and Moulton farms, situated half a mile directly south of
Mt. Terrydiddle on Moulton Street. The oldest person buried
here is Otis Nichols who died Feb. 2, 1888, aged 92 years. Galen,
brother of Otis, is honored by a small but fine granite monument.
He married Huldah Martin of Swansea. He died March 2, 1877,
aged 78. An ancestor, Capt. Israel Nichols*, is buried in an old
orchard on the other side of the road, having died of small-pox
in the year 1800. He was a Revolutionary soldier. His wife
Rhoda lies beside liim. The order of descent is:
Galen,* Stephen,'
Thomas,* Richard,' Richard,' Israel,* Israel,^ < Otis,*
^Samuel,* Geo. D.'
Albert Cole is buried in this yard.
Of the three Moulton brothers buried here, Elihu, Jr.,* has the
most prominent stone; 1807-1845. His wife was Mary Powell
of Taunton, whom he married Aug. 17, 1832. His father Elihu,^
born Oct. 23, 1781, married Nancy Pitts of Cranston, R.I., March
17, 1803. He was the son of Stephen* and Deborah Mason, who
was the son of Stephen' and Hannah Bliss, who was the son of
Stephen* and Rebecca.
Elihu, Jr.,* had twin brothers, George Nelson* and John Brooks,*
who were born Feb. 11, 1821. John B. died Oct. 3, 1894, aged 73,
and George N., March 6, 1896, aged 74. For years they lived by
themselves unmarried, on the home place across the way, and were
thought to be eccentric, a natural result of their isolation.
The order of descent is: George,* John,* and Elihu* of Elihu,*
of Stephen,* of Stephen,* of Stephen.* The first Stephen was a
deacon in the Congregational Church at Palmer's River, and he
and his son Stephen are buried in that old churchyard.
The Moulton part of the yard has no care, but is thickly covered
with Periwinkle which in May is bright with beautiful blue blos-
soms.
298 HISTORY OP REHOBOTH
TuE J. Stillman Pierce Yard
This family enclosure, containing an eighth of an acre on Kelton
Street, was laid out about the year 1840, at first well up on Mt.
Terrydiddle, but later removed to its base. Its wall was built
by the Millerite preacher at Oak Swamp, Elder M . Gammons*
who, while preaching the immediate coming of Christ, earned his
bread "by the sweat of his face."
Here are buried Nathan Pierce, 1777-1861, and his wife Rhoda
(Guiles), daughter of Dea. Ebenezer Guiles of Wrentham, 1783-
1858. Near by rest their three sons, Childs R., 1820-1845,
married Cynthia (Pierce) 1822-1914, who survived him and re-
married; Joseph Stillman, 1814-1897, and wife Sybel (Horton),
1810-1897; Reuben G., 1806-1855, and wife Nancy (Luther),
daughter of Elder Childs Luther.
Another stone records the name of Rebecca, wife of Jonathan
Pierce, 1778-1802. Jonathan was brother of Nathan and son of
Nathaniel.
Two daughters of Nathan and Rhoda are buried here with their
husbands: Eliza, born Oct. 9, 1801, married Warner Adams,
March 14, 1830; he died in 1836 in his 29th year. Nancy, born
Aug. 30, 1806, married Daniel B. Barney, Aug. 22, 1844; she died
in 1854, and is made to say: —
"Weep not for me my husband dear.
Nor sit and shed the silent tear;
But raise your thoughts to joys on high
Where saints immortal never die."
The only son of J. Stillman is Charles Everett, born May 26»
1851, who has the care of the yard and expects to be buried therein*
The pedigree is: Charles E.,' J. Stillman,^ etc., Nathan,* Nathan-
iel,' Joseph,^ Azrikam,' Ephraim,* Capt. Michael.*
J. Stillman had a daughter, Asenath E., who married William
Goff and has two children resting in this yard.
The Oak Swamp Burying GROU^^>
This is a small and neat family yard near the church. The
names of Pierce, Bryant, and Horton are here represented.
Elder James L. Pierce, 1822-1897, preached at both the Oak
Swamp and the Hombine Churches for some years. He also held
pastorates in other places. His wife Sarah M. (Bryant), 1820-
1893, to whom he was married on the 16th of Aug., 1840.
REHOBOTH CEMETERIES 299
Here lies also Anstrus (Drown) Bryant, who died June 29»
1877, aged 94 years.
The Bosworth Cemetery
This is also a small family burying-ground located about six-
hundred yards north of the Hornbine Church. It has a neglected
appearance. The Bosworths and Joneses are buried here, and a
soldier of the Civil War, Edward P. West, who died in the battle
of the Wilderness in 1864.
The James Horton Family Yard
This is in South Rehoboth, on Pleasant Street, half a mile
south of Horton *s Signal. It is set with fine marble slabs and has
the best possible care. It was set apart by James Horton on a
spot of land near his house. The inscriptions are as follows: —
'*James Horton, died Jan. 10, 1875, in the 83rd year of his age.
*'A light from our household is gone;
A voice we loved is stilled;
A place is vacant at our hearth
Which never can be filled."
•'Sophia (Wheaton) Horton, died Feb. 24, 1849, in the 63rd
year of her age.'*
"Our mother, she was all that word
So full of meaning can express;
And tho' her earthly sun is set,
Its light shall linger round us yet.
Pure, radiant, blest."
"Samuel L. Peirce, Apr. 13, 1828~Aug. 31, 1911."
"Ann Eliza (Horton) Peirce, March 26, 1832-Oct. 5, 1911.
"Until the day breaks and the shadows flee away."
Two graves without stones hold the precious remains of Horace
Le Baron Horton, Feb. 22, 1820-June 23, 1870, and Emeline
Baker Horton, Feb. 16, 1819-Jan. 25, 1889.
The Samuel T. Wheeler Cemetery
The Samuel T. Wheeler Cemetery is situated on a beautiful
knoll of oaks on the opposite side of the road from the James
Horton lot, and is under perpetual care.
Samuel T. Wheeler died in 1864 in his 81st year.
300 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
John W. Horton (son-in-law), 180&-1889.
Mary A. Wheeler Horton (daughter), 1813-1000.
Their son Edward Horton is buried here.
A daughter, Rachel C, died Dec. 4, 1836, in her 22d year.
"'Farewell, brothers and parents dear,
I've left this world of pain.
And when you see this hillock here
Remember we shall meet again."
Other members of these families rest here under the trees on
land which belonged to the Wheeler farm. It is expected that
Edward Horton 's widow will be the last person to be buried on
this lot.
The Jonathan Wheeler Cemeteky
The Jonathan Wheeler Cemetery is situated a mile or more
north of the Orleans Factory on Wheeler Street, and is in good
condition.
Here rests Dea. Jonathan Wheeler, who died Sept. 13, 1869,
in his 77th year. He was an officer in the Oak Swamp Baptist
Church. Rachel his wife (daughter of Nathan and Betsy Goff)
died Nov. 6, 1869, in the 80th year of her age.
One son, Dea. Nathan G. Wheeler, Nov. 20, 1826-Jan. 10, 1897,
and his wife Julia M. (Kendrick) Wheeler, died July 4, 1892, and
also three daughters are buried here; one of these, Elizabeth S.,
bom March 30, 1829, married Rev. Charles P. Walker, donor of
a fund for the perpetual care of the lot. A few other bodies rest
in this yard.
The Hunt Graveyard
The Hunt graveyard is a small, rough enclosure at the corner of
Broad and Salisbury Streets. Here seven at least of the Hunt
family are buried, three of whom died in 1777, — a son and two
daughters of Isaiah and Mary (Blake) Hunt. Isaiah was the son
of John and Susanna (Sweeting), and John was the son of Ephraim
who gave the "Ministerial" estate to the Church.
The Medbury Graveyard
The Medbury yard is north of Rocky Hill, near the Willis
school-house, — a very small yard with few graves. The prin-
cipal stone is inscribed thus: —
REHOBOTH CEMETERIES 301
"Sacred to the Memory of
Ebeiiezer Medbury,
who died Jan. 24, 1825.
in the 68th year of his age.
Revolutionary Soldier.'*
A companion stone reads: —
*Widow Elizabeth Medbury, died Sept. 5, 1851, in
the 84th year of her age.
* 'Beloved in life, lamented in death,
Calm and resigned she yielded up her breath,
Freed from life's care and every pain.
Our loss, we trust is her eternal gain."
The Buss Burying Ground
The Bliss burying-ground in the northwest part of the town is
a small unkept lot in which are buried : —
Abel Bliss (son of Abiah and grandson of Lieut. Ephraim Bliss),
died Nov. 2, 1852, in the 90th year of his age.
Lucy (Carpenter), wife of Abel Bliss, who died Aug. 3, 1835,
aged (>0 years.
"With poverty of spirit blest,
Rest; happy saint, in Jesus rest."
Other names are Lucy and Sally Bliss; Huldah B. Tripp;
Ilulduh, wife of Joseph Pierce; Mary K., wife of Jason P. Lord;
and several children.
The IIix Cemetery
The IIix Cemetery is located back from the road leading west-
ward from the Oak Swamp Schoolhouse, now Brook Street. It
is a part of the old Hix homestead, afterwards the Samuel Baker
homestead, where Mrs. Samuel Baker ("Aunt Patience") resided
for more than eighty years. She and her husband and several
other members of the Baker family are buried in this yard. (For
dates see Personal Sketches.)
Elder John Hix lived on tliis farm, and here his two sons were
doubtless born, Jacob and Daniel, both of whom became preachers.
His grave is in this lot, which he had set apart. He died in March,
1799, aged 87 years.
Also his son Elder Jacob Hix, who died March 30, 1809, in the
70th year of his age. He was for about thirty years pastor of the
302 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
Oak Swamp Church, while he tilled his farm» entailed from his
father, and ran his saw-mill on the brook back of his house.
Another stone marks the grave of Elder Childs Luther who
followed Elder Hix as pastor of the Church, which he served from
1809 to 1841. The tomb here was erected by Nathan Bowen, Jr.,
in 1820. He died in 1853 aged 90 years.
Two veterans of the Civil War rest here: Charles Miller and
Alexander Williams (colored).
In this lot lies interred the body of William Horton (son of
William), died Nov. 16, 1860, aged 89 years.
**11 sons his inheritance.
Posterity his reward."
The Goff and Wheeler Cemetery
This is an old, neglected yard opposite the town-house on the
Bay State Road. On the left of the steps as you enter from the
road is the grave of Joseph Goff 1st, who was the son of Richard,
who was the son of Anthony. He died Jan. 18, 1829, in the 95th
year of his age.
"Death is a debt to nature due:
IVe paid my debt and so must you."
His wife Patience (Thurber) died Sept. 3, 1819, in the 87th
year of her age. Joseph and Patience had eleven daughters, one
of whom, Mehitable, married (1) Levi Goff, and (2) Elder Childs
Luther. She died April 2, 1857, aged 83 years, and is buried here.
Joseph had also a son Richard who was the father of Nelson,
who was the father of George Nelson. Richard died Sept. 1,
1836, aged 87 years, and his grave is in this yard. His wife Me-
hitable, daughter of Stephen Bullock, died in 1843, aged 76.
Here rests also Joseph Goff 2d, son of Joseph and Patience,
who died Sept. 12, 1840, in his 69th year; also his son Joseph
Goff 3d, who died Jan. 22, 1874, in the 72d year of his age.
Also Cromwell Wheeler, who died March 14, 1884, aged 95
years. Olive, his wife, died Nov. 21, .1866, aged 73 years.
Cromwell Wheeler, Jr., son of Cromwell and Olive, died in
1905, aged 91. Abby (Goff), his wife, died in 1897, aged 79 years.
Several of their descendants also rest here.
Nearly every stone in the yard bears an epitaph. One of these
reads:
REHOBOTH CEMETERIES 303
"How fondly we loved thee
No pencil can tell;
Nor the anguish it caused us
To bid thee farewell."
The Millard Yard
The Millard Yard is located one-fourth of a mile north of the
Oak Swamp Meeting House, containing about a quarter of an
acre, enclosed by a very old wall and utterly neglected. Here
are some twenty-five graves, a few of them very old: Samuel
Millard, died May 24, 1826, in his 77th year; Mary his wife died
Dec. 6, 1810. Here also are Henry and Sarah, Samuel and Rachel
(Wright).
Among the old slate stones difficult to decipher are Mary, died
Aug. 18, 1720, aged 17; another Mary died in 1729, aged 29. A
Nancy Millard was buried in 1782.
The Millard family settled in this section very early in the
eighteenth century. One Samuel, whose wife inherited Milton
Hill Summit, removed from Rehoboth to that place. His son was
a graduate of Oxford University, England. His cousin Thomas
owned and deeded the State House lot to the State of Massa-
chusetts. (See Fifth Report of Commissioners, 1880, p. 79.)
The Otis J. Martin Cemetery
Located in the Martin neighborhood in South Rehoboth, — a
small yard inclosed by a double wall.
Ambrose Martin, died April 14, 1854, aged 71. Had two wives:
Phoebe, died 1810, and Polly, died 1878.
Lydia, daughter of Ambrose and Polly, died Jan. 7, 1853, in
her 37th year. Otis J., son, born April 15, 1825, died March 10,
1900. Had two wives: Celia, died July 6, 1851, aged 28 years.
*'£are we'll hope to meet again
In brighter worlds: farewell till then."
Sophia M., born Jan. 11, 1829, died Oct. 20, 1905. A fibe
granite stone marks their resting-place.
Abby, daughter of Otis and Sophia, died March 10, 1865, aged
4 years, 9 mos. and 10 days.
"Little Abby has gone home to Jesus."
John E., son of Otis and Sophia M., died Dec. 9, 1882, aged 19
years.
304 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
*'God saw when his footsteps faltered.
When his heart grew weak and faint.
He marked when his strength was failing.
And listened to each complaint;
For the pathway had grown too steep.
And folded in fair, green pastures,
He gave our loved one sleep."
A double stone apart from the rest has the names of Joseph and
Harriet Byrne, parents of Mrs. Geo. H. Martin: Joseph, 1849-
1906; Harriet, 1843-1915. Clarence H., a little son of Geo. H.
and Lillie M., rests here.
The Lovel Goff Yard
This old yard is located on Elm Avenue and contains about
one-eighth of an acre. It is now grown up to bushes. An immense
cluster of lilacs adorns it center, — l)eautiful and fragrant in their
season. About one-third of the area is covered with the charming
lily of the valley, its tiny white bells sweetly fragrant in May and
early June. Here are buried members of the GofT family, includ-
ing Lovel GofT, who died Jan. 13, 1832, in his 70th year; also
Lydia, his wife. At least five sons of Squier and Grisell, viz.:
Israel (Revolutionary soldier), Squier, Constant, Charles and
Sylvanus; also Cromwell, Baylies and others. Other family
names are Hix, Wheeler, Salisbury, and Ilorton. Levi Salisbury
(1794-1882) was the last burial here. The remains of Isaiah and
Lydia (GofT) Bowen, parents of William Henry, have been re-
moved to the Village Cemetery.
The Rounds Graveyard
This very old, neglected yard lies off Plain Street in South Re-
hoboth. Its location is on a picturesque ridge bordering a ravine
running parallel to the highway and would not be noticed in pass-
ing. Here are three small stones bearing the name of Rounds:
George Rounds, died Oct. 3, 1791, in his 73d year; Chace Rounds,
died Jan. 15, 1821, in his 76th year. "In memory of Hannah,
wife of Chace Rounds, who died Jan. 14, 1827, aged 78 years.**
There are numerous graves along the ridge, marked by rude
stones stuck in the ground without inscription. Some of the
buriak doubtless date back from one hundred and fifty to two
hundred years.
CHAPTER XIV
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
BAKER, EMMA M., daughter of John F. and Abhy M. (Allen)
Baker, is descended from a long line of sturdy ancestors. Be-
ginning with the first Rehoboth residents of the family, we have
the following record: —
John,^ married June 17, 1714, Susanna Wood, both of Barrington
but settled in Rehoboth. He died in 1767.
Nathaniel,' born July 9, 1725; married Sept. 13, 1750, Experience
Hix, both of Rehoboth.
Samuel,' bom in Rehoboth Dec. 13, 1754; married June 6, 1777,
Bethany Mason of Swansea. Died Oct. 20, 1838, in his 85th
year.
Nathaniel,^ born in Rehoboth Aug. 16, 1781; married about 1806,
Nancy Croswell who was born in 1783.
John Fenwick,^ born in Rehoboth, June 11, 1813; married Abby
M. Allen, Sept. 15, 1849. Died Feb. 28, 1893, in his 80th
year.
Emma M.,* born at the paternal homestead in Rehoboth.
Her early educational advantages of the district schook were
supplemented by further study at East Greenwich Academy, and
at Wheaton Seminary, now Wheaton College. Her home life was
closely interwoven with that of her beloved and only sister, Sara-
phene, who was destined to an early death. Miss Baker speaks
of her as "the gentle, warm-hearted girl with a keen love of the
beautiful and the good." She gratefully recalls her father's deep
interest in having his children thoroughly educated, ever seeking
to instill into their minds the importance of careful reading and
study. In her mother she realized those noble qualities which were
a never failing delight. "My mother," she says, "was my ideal.
I thank God for her as for no other gift of his bestowing." For
many years this cherished mother was an invalid, and no one
ever received more tender and devoted care than she. The two
spent a year together at the Vendome in Boston, and no pains
were spared in the fruitless effort to recuperate the mother's
health.
In various social and religious activities Miss Baker ranks
among tlic first, liaving filled with acceptance the highest positions
in temperance and church affairs, and in many charitable organ-
izations. She has traveled extensively both in this country and in
Europe with an ever eager and receptive mind. Her benevolence
Isos]
20
306 HISTORY OF RBHOBOTH
may be judged by the fact that she has always given one-tenth at
least of her income to charity. The Congregational Church of
her native town is indebted to her for various gifts, including its
present pulpit. Other churches too are recipients of her bounty.
Her private gifts are many and the bles^ings of the needy are her
ample reward. After spending three years at the Beaconsfield in
Brookline, she was called in 1909 to look after the household of her
brother, whose children were bereft of a mother's care, and she
has devoted herself to these domestic duties with unfailing faith-
fulness. Her life is rich in service for others. Even when a child
she was pleased to teach the ex-slaves, employed by her father,
to read and write and to fill their minds with high ideals. In
brief. Miss Baker's well-known qualities of efficiency and refine-
ment render her worthy of a high place among the excellent wo-
men of her native town.
BAKER, GEORGE PEASE, son of Nathaniel and Nancy Cros-
well Baker, was born in Rehoboth, Sept. 8, 1817. He received his
early education in the public schools of his native town and later
entered a private school. He went early into business, and at the
age of thirty crossed the continent and settled in California. He
purchased a ranch at Red Bluff and became interested in real
estate in San Francisco. The last ten years of his life were spent
abroad, and after two years of travel through every country in
Europe he made his home permanently in Paris. He became
familiar with the language and customs of the French people and
established pleasant relations with many notable personages. He
was presented at the court of Emperor Napoleon III and enter-
tained at the Royal Palace. His death occurred March 13, 1869,
while on a visit to Pau, Southern France. His funeral was sol-
emnized on the 2d day of May in the Rehoboth Congregational
Church, and he was buried in the Village Cemetery. His monu-
ment bears the following epitaph: —
"He is not dead whose body fills
This melancholv house of clav;
He lives in brighter glory still
Than ever cheered his earthly way.
Full beaming round his head.*'
BAKER, GEORGE PIERCE, eminent physician, son of Samuel
Baker, Jr., and Patience (Pierce) Baker, was born in South Re-
hoboth, Jan. 27, 1826. On his mother's side he was descended
from Capt. Michael Pierce who was killed in the Indian fight near
Pawtucket: Patience,^ Preserved,* Nathan,' Miall,^ Ephraim,'
Ephraim,' Michael.^ He received the rudiments of an education
at the district school in Oak Swamp and studied further at the See-
konk Classical Seminary. As he grew up he desired to become a
<:)-:<)I)(;k i'k.vsk ii.vkku
JOHN F. BAKER
^
ll
'mm'f^''
Miw. AllIIV ^r. (AI.LBN) HAKKIl
1
THE ANNAWAN CLUH HOUSE
IIILL CrtKST. lte»i<kni'e of George S. linker
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 307
doctor. Having heard of Dr. Thompson of Boston, he visited
him with the hope that he might be allowed to study medicine
according to the Thompsonian School. "Study this book," said
Dr. Thompson to him, "and in three weeks you will be a Thomp-
sonian doctor readj' to practice." The idea appeared so ridiculous
to the young man that he decided to go to college and study med-
icine in the regular course. He entered Amherst College in the
class of 1850 and remained through the Freshman and Sophomore
years, when he made a trip to Labrador in a fishing schooner for
his health. He graduated at the Harvard Medical College in 1851,
and spent a year in the hospital at South Boston. He commenced
practice on High Street, Providence, where several doctors had
failed from lack of patronage. 'TIow long do you want this oiffice
for?" asked the landlord. "For five years at first," said Dr. Baker.
He had come to stay. Business came slowly, but there was a gain
from year to year, until from 1860 to 1875 he had all he could do
and nearly broke down. For fourteen years he was medical and
surgical doctor at the State Prison at $500 a year. He was a
volunteer surgeon for a short time in hospitals at Hampton, Va.,
during the war. In 1888 a cancer developed on his lip, which was
removed by Dr. J. C. Warren, his former instructor at the Massa-
chusetts General Hospital. But a year afterwards the disease re-
appeared on his chin, and spreading to his throat caused much
suffering and ended his life in August, 1890.
Dr. Baker married, Aug. 9, 1859, Lucy Daily Cady of Provi-
dence. Tlircc children died in infancy. One son. Prof. George P.
Baker, instructor in Harvard University, survives.
Dr. Baker was a quiet man, gentle in manner, strong in his con-
victions, witty in conversation. In his profession he was prompt
and methodical. He was too generous to press the poor for pay-
ment, and many never paid. On his own part he was scrupulously
honest, owing no man anything. Like his father, he was a man of
rugged character, and wise in judgment. With him each case had
its own treatment and there was little of mere routine in his prac-
tice. His brother physicians often turned to him for professional
help in their sickness. Although he knew, months before, the in-
evitable outcome of his malady, he bore his great trial with Chris-
tian faith and courage, and died with a large hope in a future life.
BAKER, IRA STILLMAN, man of affairs, was born on the Baker
homestead in South Rehoboth, Mass., July 20, 1812. He was the
son of Samuel Baker, Jr., and Patience (Pierce) Baker. Through
his father he was descended from Samson Mason of Swansea,
Mass., and through his mother from Capt. Michael Pierce of
Scituate, the famous Indian fighter. He married, (1) Sarah Ann
Allen, by whom he had Otis Allen (see sketch) and Andrew; (2)
Harriet Wheaton Ilorton, daughter of James Horton 2d, by whom
308 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
he had Josephine L., Adelaide F. (married Joseph A. Arnold)*
Seth W. (married Nancy W. Lake), An^pline N. (married David
H. Bosworth), Isadore S. (married Hiram W. Kingman), H.
Lenora, and John B.
Mr. Baker was prominent in town affairs for many years, and in
1860 was representative to the General Court. He was repeatedly
chosen to the office of selectman, and was also Town Cierk and
Town Treasurer, a series of honors seldom falling to one man.
He at the same time carried on the farm which his father and
grandfather had tilled before him, and like them owned and man-
aged a saw-mill and grist-mill. He possessed a large fund of
vitality and his judgment was excellent. He was very fond of
music, and for many years taught singing-school. Hymns of
praise were his delight, and his children recall with pleasure the
songful hours of the home.
BAKER, JOHN FENWICK, son of Nathaniel and Nancy Cros-
well Baker, was bom in Rehoboth, June 14, 1843. He was a
descendant in the fourth generation from John Baker, one of the
early settlers of the town. In his boyhood he attended the dis-
trict schools of Rehoboth and later received private instruction.
His early advantages were limited, yet he made the most of the
broader opportunities afforded by experience. Although he made
his home on the Baker farm in Rehoboth, he was for many years
engaged in mercantile pursuits in Canada. On Sept. 15, 1849, he
married Abby M . Allen, daughter of Sylvester and Hannah (Car-
penter) Allen, a descendant of William Carpenter, one of the pro-
prietors and Town Clerk of Rehoboth from 1643 to 1649. The
children were Emma M., Saraphine A., and George S. Mr. Baker
removed with his family to Rhode Island in 1882, and died Feb.
28, 1893.
BAKER, OTIS ALLEN, son of Ira Stillman and Sarah Ann
(Allen) Baker, was born at the ancestral home on Brook Street,
Rehoboth, April 23, 1838. He received his education in the com-
mon schools. He was twice married: (1) to Mary E. Bliss, daugh-
ter of George and Elizabeth Bliss of Rehoboth, of whom was bom
a daughter who died in infancy; and (2) to Harriet L. Martin
of Rehoboth, daughter of Luther A. and Harriet L. Martin. When
quite young he learned the mason's trade and later was a con-
tractor in Boston. Ix>ve of country and loyalty to the same were
his strong characteristics, and when the Civil War broke out he
was one of the first to enlist, — ^April 16, 1861. He distinguished
himself as a soldier and officer, and served his country until the
close of the war, being mustered out May 12, 1865. He was
wounded at Bull Run and carried the bullet in his arm to the day
of his death. His military record is given in the chapter on Re-
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 309
hoboth Soldiers in the Civil War. It is worthy of record that he
served as captain in two different companies, one of which was the
notable Company H of the Third Mass. Infantry. Sergeant Wil-
liam H. Luther, who served under him in both companies, thus
voices the universal esteem in which he was held by his men:
"He was one of the noblest men I ever met with, a character
above reproach. He asked no man to ^o where he would not go.
His one idea of life seemed to be to do his duty. While command-
ing strict obedience, he rendered the same to his superior officers.
Quiet, unassuming, he never pushed himself but let others ad-
vance him."
He traveled quite extensively and for several years made
his home in 'Colorado. He was a member of the G. A. R.,
and at one time commander of John A. Rawlins Post in Lake
City, Colorado. He was also a member of the I. O. Odd Fellows.
He died in Swansea, Mass., June 14, 1910. At his funeral he was
honored by the presence of every living man in his company, save
one who failed to get word in time. Many were present also from
other companies. This noble patriot was buried with the full G.
A. R. service at the Village Cemetery in Rehoboth.
BAKER, PATIENCE PIERCE, daughter of the Rev. Preserved
Pierce, she was one of the family of ten children and was born
March 31, 1792. When a small girl she went to live with her aunt,
the wife of Deacon Hezekiah Martin, who was settled on a farm
near Rocky Run, where it is crossed by the road running west
across the "Plains" to the Hornbine. She was the second wife
of Samuel Baker, Jr., and on her marriage, March 11, 1810, went
to live in the old red house (Elder Jacob Hix house), where she
lived for 88 years, or until her death in 1889. Her children were:
Ira Stillman, Nelson Orrin, Nancy (Nichols), Emeline (Horton),
Dr. George P. and Electa Ann (Howland). In person she was
short and thick-set and had coal-black eyes. Her health was al-
ways robust and her last illness was her first serious one. She was
very religious and was a member of the Christian Church of the
town for 57 years. She had a good voice, sang the treble part,
and loved to sing with others in the neighborhood. She was well
preserved physically to the last year of her life, and when 98 years
old appeared not over 70 years. Her eyesight was good, her hear-
ing acute, her cheeks always red, and she resented the assistance
of grandchildren in getting in or out of the carriage. To her, as
well as other women of her time who lived in the sparsely] settled
country, fear was unknown, and any show of feeling was care-
fully repressed and hidden. For her, death had no terrors, for
these old-fashioned people approached the end without a tremor.
She was buried in the Hix Yard on the "hill" in plain sight of the
house in which she lived so many years.
310 HISTORY OP REHOBOTH
BAKER, SAMUEL, Jr., successful farmer, born in Rehoboth,
April 12, 1787; died April 16. 1872. The town of Rehoboth ia
early days had men running farms who at the same time were
gifted artisans, — note the milb, furaaces, textile mills. Samu^
Baker, Jr., besides being an extra-
ordinary farmer, had a genius for
mechanics, and built and operated
two saw-mills and a gristmill on
Rocky Run. The grist-mitl was
operated as late as 1870. As a
farmer, Mr. Baker, when measured
by the standards of today, would
be called unusual. New England
produced a race of farmers which
still felt the English influence —
men who knew more of husbandly
than their descendants who were
farming in the early 70's. Ou the
Baker farm were large barns and
outbuildings comprising black-
smith shop, cooper shop, cider
press, dairy for cheese and butter. There was a large collection
of spinning wheels, looms for weaving cloth, and several seta of
implements for producing flax-fibre. On the farms were the apple
orchards and numbers of pear trees and quince bushes. Ship tim-
bers were cut, cordwood hauled to Providence and Warren, birch
hoops shaved. When Manwhague Swamp froze, cedar to run the
shingle-mill was cut and hauled out.
Mr. Baker made farming a financial success and at the same time
he knew the art of living. He was very musical and played the
bass-viol, clarinet and fife. He was very fond of singing. On his
father's side he was descended from tlie English yeoman class.
His mother was a Mason, a descendant of the Sampson Mason
who was with Cromwell at the battle of Marston Moor. He mar-
ried Patience Pierce, daughter of Rev. Preserved Pierce, a des-
cendant of Capt. Michael Pierce of Scituate. Mass.
BENEDICT, REV. DAVID, D.D., son of Thomas and Martha
(Scudder) Benedict, was born at Norwich. Conn., Oct. 10, 1779.
At the age of fourteen lie was apprenticed to a shoemaker in New
Canaan, Conn., and was afterward employed a short time as a
journeyman. In 1802 he entered the academy at Mt. Pleasant,
Sing Sing, N.Y., where he was prepared for college. In 1806 he
graduated from Brown University, and soon after was ordained
to the Baptist Ministry. In 1804 he became a resident of Old
Rehoboth, now Pawtiickct, where be Inter gathered a church,
and where he remained until about 1831, and to wliich place he
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 311
afterwards returned to spend his last years. He devoted much
time to historical research relative to the Baptist denomination.
He was a Trustee of Brown University from 1818 to the time of
his death. He received the title of D.D. from Shurtleff College
in 1851. He was a writer of force and originality, and his books
had a wide circulation. Among these are: "General History of the
Baptist Denominations in America, and all parts of the world*'
(1813). "Abridgment of Robinson's History of Baptism" (1817),
"History of All Religions*' (1824), "Fifty years among the Bap-
tists" (1860), etc. He was also the author of several poems. He
died in Pawtucket, R.I., Dec. 5, 1875.
BICKNELL, AMELIA D., youngest of five children of Chris-
topher and Chloe (Carpenter) Blanding, was born at the Blanding
homestead in Rehoboth, Oct. 3, 1830. Her home education was
that of a farmer's daughter. Her school education was primarily
in the district school of the neighborhood, supplemented by aca-
demic studies at Attleboro Academy and Norton Female Seminary,
all of which, coupled with excellent natural abilities, fitted her for
teaching, to which she devoted herself very successfully for at
least five years in the district schools of Rehoboth and Norton.
She joined the Congregational Church of Rehoboth in 1856.
Miss Blanding married Thomas W. Bicknell, Principal of the
High School at Rehoboth Village, Sept. 5, 1860. They resided four
years at Bristol, R.I., where Mr. Bicknell was Principal of the
High School and where their daughter Martha Elizabeth was born.
After residing for some years at Providence and West Barrington,
R.I., the home of the family was at Harvard St., Dorchester,
Mass., from 1875 to 1894.
Mrs. Bicknell died at the family summer home at Linekin,
Maine, Aug. 13, 1896. Her life was fruitful in good works; gen-
erous by nature, she gave herself and her possessions to help all
in her power. As a teacher she was faithful and thorough. As a
Bible teacher she was a winning instructor, having large classes
at Bristol, Barrington and Dochester. She was deeply interested
in Foreign Missions and was President of the Dorchester Branch
of the W. B. F. M. She instructed classes of young ladies in
mission studies and cheered the hearts of missionaries in China
and Africa by sending them letters and boxes of useful articles.
At home no needy cause or person went from her door unaided.
In the founding of the Harvard Congregational Church at Dor-
chester she gave generously of time, labor and money, and her
home was the center of many charitable undertakings.
A memorial rose window in the Harvard Street Meeting-house
was her contribution in honor of her daughter Martha, dying at
the age of five years. The Blanding Public Library in Rehoboth
was founded by Mrs. Bicknell in honor and memory of her par-
312 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
ents. She was buried in the Bicknell family ground at Princes
Hill, Harrington, R.I.
BICKNELL, THOMAS WILLIAMS, LLJ)., distinguished au-
thor, educator and master of assemblies, was bom in Barrington»
R.I., Sept. 6, 1834, son of AUin and Harriet Byron (Kinnicutt)
Bicknell; studied in Barrington schools till 1850; Thetford Acad-
emy, Vt., to July, 1853; Amherst College, Freshman year, 1853-4,
graduated at Brown University, 1860, witli degree of A.M.
Mr. Bicknell is a born teacher. At the age of nineteen he dis-
tinguished himself in the public schools of Rehoboth, teaching
three winters in the "Old Red Schoolhouse," 1853-4-6, and three
terms in the Village High School, closing in December, 1857.
Also at the High School, Bristol, R.I., and later three years in the
Arnold Street Grammar School in Providence, the two covering
the period from May, 1860, to May, 1869. He was for six years
(1869-1875) Commissioner of Public Schools in Rhode Island,
during which time he brought about vast improvements in the
schools throughout the state, extending the term of office of School
Committees irom one to three years, establishing evening schools
and school libraries, creating a State Board of Education, and re-
establishing the State Normal School at Providence on a perma-
nent basis, together with many other helpful changes.
Mr. Bicknell is a prolific author. Born in Old Wannamoiset,
within the Sowams limits, he early caught the historic spirit of the
place, associated with the names of Massassoit, King Philip, Miles
Standish, Winslow and Hampden, and having as his neighbors*
descendants of John Brown and Thomas Willett. No man is
better informed than he of the localities and doings of the Plym-
outh and Rhode Island colonies from the beginning until now.
Three monumental historical works have sprung from his pen:
•The History of Barrington," 1898; ''Sowams," 1903; and "The
Story of Dr. John Clarke," 1915, besides, the "Bicknell Genealogy'*
in 1913. These, with other volumes from his pen, will fill one-
half of Dr. Eliot's five-foot shelf, and if all his printed pages were
bound in books they would fill a ten-foot shelf.
In 1875 the various monthly educational journals of New Eng-
land were united in Tlie New England Journal of Educationt of
which Mr. Bicknell became editor as well as owner and publisher.
He also established The Primary Teacher in 1878, The Bureau of
Education in 1876, and the magazine Education^ in 1880.
Mr. Bicknell has been president of various state and national
institutions and conventions; of the American Institute of In-
struction in 1876-8, of the International S. S. Convention at
Louisville in 1884, and was a Massachusetts delegate to the Raikes
Centennial in 1880, etc., etc. He represented the 24th SufiFolk
district, Boston, in the State Legislature in 1888-9, serving two
years. His executive ability appears in the founding of the Har-
#
m
'^4^^H
.m~.
mL
■s """-aB
K ,^*^
DBA. JOriNHTOS'K EiLACK
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 313
vard Congregational Church, Boston; also the town of New Eng-
land in North Dakota with its Congregational Church. By the
gift of a library of one thousand volumes, a town in Utah has been
named Bicknell, and another has been named Blanding for a sim-
ilar gift. He has traveled extensively both in this country and
abroad.
On Sept. 5, 1860, he married Miss Amelia D. Blanding, daughter
of Christopher and Chloe (Carpenter) Blanding, who in 1886 gave
S500 for the foundation of the Blanding Library in her native
town, to be named in honor of her parents.
Mr. Bicknell resides in Providence, R.I. He is now en-
gaged, in his eighty-fourth year, in writing the "History of the
State of Rhode Island.** He stands six feet three and one-half
inches tall, straight as an arrow, neither is his eye dim nor his
natural force abated. **The only doctor I employ," he says» "is
Nature; my only nurse is righteous living; I worship the All-
Good. The sun shines on my horizon three hundred and sixty-
five days and six hours every year."
BLACK, JOHNSTONE, merchant, was a son of Ralph and
Elizabeth (Erwin) Black and grandson of William and Rebecca
(Hamilton) Black. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1832»
and came to America in 1851. Mr. Black resided for several years
at Ix)well, and later at Nashua, N.H. He came to Rehoboth
in 1866 to set up machinery at the Orleans Mill, and liking the
place, he soon returned and opened a variety store, distributing
goods in a wagon to the people round-about, in which enterprise
he was successful. On the establishment of the new postal route
he was appointed postmaster at Harris. After twenty-five years
he sold out his business in Rehoboth and removed to Warren»
R.I., where he established a grocery business in company with
his two sons, Robert and David.
Mr. Black was a man of irreproachable character, a constant
attendant with his household at church, and highly respected by
all who knew him. On Jan. 23, 1891, he was ordained deacon of
the Congregational Church at Rehoboth. He died at Warren»
R.I., Nov. 27, 1908, and lies buried in the family lot at Rehoboth
Village.
Mr. Black married Isabella Macintosh in 1856. A daughter
was born to them who died at the age of four. They had three
sons:
William Alexander, born Nov. 19, 1857, who married Emma
Chaffee of Seekonk, Nov. 6, 1889. They had two children:
(1) Isabella Johnson, born June 2, 1891, and (2) Jennie
Chaffee, born Nov. 29, 1893. He died Jan. 20, 1913, aged
55 years.
Robert, born Jan. 12, 1860, died Sept. 25, 1912, in his 53d year.
David, born Dec. 18, 1867, married Mary M.. Allen of Warren»
314 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
R.I., Aug. 18, 1897. They have two children: (1) Florence
Allen, born July 6, 1898, and (2) Gertrude Johnstone, bom
May 7, 1902.
Mr. Black's wife, Isabella, died July 10, 1883, aged 51 years.
His second wife was Ada Aldrich, to whom he was married Nov.
20, 1884. She died Nov. 1, 1906.
BLANDING, COL. ABRAHAM, LL.D.,son of William and Lydia
(Ormsbee) Blanding, was born at Rehoboth, Nov. 18, 1775, grad-
uated at Brown University and studied law with Judge Brevord
of Camden, S.C., where he commenced the practice of law; re-
moved to Columbia, S.C., and became eminent in his profession.
He married (1) Betsy Martin of Camden, who died in 1812; (2)
Mary Caroline Desaussure of Columbia, S.C.
BLANDING, ABRAM, M.D., son of James Blanding, Esq.,
and Elizabeth (Carpenter) Blanding, was born in Rehoboth, April
28, 1823; graduated from the Homeopathic Medical College in
Philadelphia, 1850. Began the practice of his profession in the
West in 1856; surgeon in the 22d Iowa Infantry, 1861-65; went
to Florida and resided at Palmer until his death, July 31, 1892»
in his 70th year. He joined the Congregational Church in Reho-
both in 1843, in the pastorate of Rev. John C. Paine.
Dr. Blanding was twice married: (1) to Ellen Cressy of Newark,
N. J., Feb. 21, 1855; (2) to Sarah A., daughter of Thomas and
Sarah (Alter) Nattinger, Jan. 20, 1876. They had issue: Albert
Hazen, Elizabeth Nattinger, and John William. Albert Hazen
is a Brigadier-General in the new National Army, and John Wil-
liam is major in a Florida regiment.
BLANDING, WILLIAM, M.D., fifth generation from William,
the New England ancestor, and son of Willian and Lydia (Orms-
bee) Blanding, was bom in Rehoboth, Feb. 7, 1773 (''Vital Rec-
ord"). Graduated at Brown University 1801; studied medicine
and practiced at Attleborough, Mass., and Camden, S.C. Mar-
ried Susan Carpenter, daughter of Capt. Caleb Carpenter of Re-
hoboth, who died in 1809; afterwards, Rachel Willett of Phila-
delphia. He made a large collection of natural history specimens
which are now in Brown University. Died Oct. 12, 1857, in his
85th year.
BLANDING, WILLIAM WILLETT, William Blanding, the
New England ancestor, came from Upton, County of Worcester,
England, in 1640, and settled in Boston. The lineage is traced
as follows: —
William,^ married Bethia Wheaton, Sept. 4, 1674.
William,* married Elizabeth Perry, October, 1708.
William,* married Sarah Chaffee, Dec. 25, 1740.
William,* married Lydia Ormsbee, July 5, 1772.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 315
JameSi^ married Elizabeth Carpenter, April 24, 1811.
William Willett/ the subject of our sketch, unmarried.
William Blanding the first owned a section of land south of
wliat is now Summer Street, Boston, Mass., in the vicinity of
Hovey's dry-goods store. William the second came to Rehoboth
about 1660 and settled on Rocky Hill. The farm seems to have
remained in the family for several generations, for William Wil-
lett was born here Nov. 1, 1820, but when he was about two and
a half years old his parents moved to the farm since associated
with the Blanding name, where William grew up and which he
cultivated until past seventy years of age, making it one of the
finest farms in town.
Mr. Blanding was educated in the common schools, with a few
terms at private school. His ambition was to be a first-class
farmer, and his active membership in the Rehoboth Farmer's
Club was a great advantage to that organization. He was no
oflSce-seeker, yet his fellow citizens have honored him with the
public trusts of selectman, assessor, and town and church treasurer.
He was deeply interested in the Rehoboth Antiquarian Society
and its treasurer for many years. He is an active member and
liberal supporter of the Congregational Church, and although
now in his ninety-eighth year, he keeps pace with the progressive
movements of the time, while his fellow citizens hold him in the
highest esteem.
BLISS, ABIAH, Jr., is descended from Thomas, of Devonshire,
England, whose son Thomas emigrated to this country in 1636,
and became one of the pioneers who settled in Rehoboth in 1643.
Thomas^ (Rehoboth ancestor), Jonathan,* Jonathan,' Ephraim/
Abiah,' Col. Abiah,' Abiah, Jr.^
He was born March 6, 1800, at Rehoboth. His mother was
Rebecca Kent, daughter of Ezekiel Kent. Abiah, Jr., married
Nov. 11, 1834, Julia A. Sturtevant, daughter of Francis Sturtevant
of Pawtucket. Mr. Bliss took his bride to the ancestral homestead
where he was born and where he resided until his death, March
31, 1887. Mrs. Bliss died four days later in her 81st year. They
celebrated their Golden Wedding Nov. 11, 1884.
Mr. Bliss was a wide-awake, progressive farmer, a pioneer in
agricultural improvements. He was an enthusiastic member of
the Farmers' Club and participated freely in the discussions. In
his prime he spent a part of each year in collecting cattle from
various New England states, particularly Vermont and New
Hampshire, and driving them into the Boston markets. In this
way he came to know these states quite thoroughly, as it was be-
fore railroads were common. He was a man of genial temperament
and thoroughly reliable. For many years he was a trustee of the
Congregational Society and was prominent in the building of the
316 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
Village Church in 1830-40. Six children were born to Mr. and
Mrs. Bliss:
Rebecca, bom Oct. 27, 1835.
Ftancis A., bom Nov. 18, 1837; died Oct. 17. 1014; Civil War
veteran.
Albert Heniy, bom Feb. 27, 1840; died Aug. 31, 1842.
Thomas, bom May 21, 1842; died in the army, May 20, 1862.
William, born Jan. 23, 1844.
Adaline, born Aug. 28, 1846; died July 11, 1856.
BLISS, DEACON ASAHEL, bom Sept. 6, 1771, was the son of
Jonathan Bliss and Lydia Wheeler, both of Rehoboth. He be-
came a devout Christian in early life, and was a prompt and reg-
ular attendant at church on the Sabbath. For more than fifty
years he was an honored member of the Congregational Church
at Rehoboth Village; was chosen deacon in 18(^ and re-elected
in 1827. Deacon Bliss lived on a farm beside the Taunton turn-
pike, erecting the house in 1704, which is still standing (1018).
On his land was the famous Annawan Rock at the border of the
great Sqannakonk Swamp, where King Philip's last chieftain was
captured. It was his pleasure to point out this historic spot to
visitors who came from far and near to see it. The farm since his
day has been in the Noah Fuller family, except a piece of land
including the famous rock, now the property of the Rehoboth
Antiquarian Society, a gift from three of the daughters of Dea.
Bliss during their lifetime.
During the long and trying controversy between the church and
Rev. Otis Thompson, Dea. Bliss was chairman of the church com-
mittee, which position he sustained with much patience and dis-
cretion. When the church was re-dedicated after a thorough re-
novation, Dec. 5, 1006, two of Dea. Bliss's great-great-grand-
children were present, and his ^andson. Rev. William J. Batt,
preached the sermon. A memorial window had been placed in the
church in honor of Dea. Bliss by another grandson, Cornelius N.
Bliss, Sr., of New York.
On the 16th of October, 1704, Mr. Bliss married Deborah,
daughter of Edward Martin of Rehoboth. She was bom Jan. 30,
1774, and died June 8, 1858. He died May 22, 1855. Eleven
children were born to them, two of whom died in infancy.
Lois Martin, born Dec. 23, 1705, married George Bliss of Reho-
both, son of Dr. James Bliss, Jan 14, 1816. She died
Nov. 24, 1838, leaving six children, three having died in
infancy.
Edward, born June 24, 1700, married Lemira, daughter of Peter
Carpenter of Rehoboth, March 10, 1820. He was a builder
of cars and locomotives and resided in Taunton. He and Mrs.
Bliss celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of their marriage
March 10, 1880. They had four children.
^^t^^
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 317
Mary, born July 17, 1803, died Dec. 11, 1838.
Laura, born Nov. 5, 1805, married May 28, 1833, Richard W.
Bait, a native of Bristol, R.L, but a resident of Fall River,
Mass. She died Jan. 1, 1895. Of their five children two died
in infancy. William J. Batt is a Congregational clergyman
and resides at Concord Junction, Mass. He has held pas-
torates in Stoneham, 1859; Bedford, 1861-65; Leominster,
1865-74; Stoneham again, 1875-86; then chaplain at the
Massachusetts Reformatory, Concord Junction. Charles R.
Batt was President of the National Security Bank of Boston.
Henry B. Batt, a New York merchant, died at sea, Nov. 12,
1874.
Asahel Newton, born Feb. 29, 1808, married Irene B. Luther of
Fall River, Thanksgiving day, 1831. He died at Rehoboth
July 24, 1833, of consumption. Of this union was born
Cornelius N. Bliss, Jan. 26, 1833, who was a merchant in
New York, and Secretary of the Interior under President
McKinley, and who, it is said, refused to be a candidate for
Vice-President at McKinley's second nomination. Had he
been nominated, he would have been President instead of
Theodore Roosevelt.
Deborah Ardelia, born Jan. 11, 1810; died July 22, 1837.
Lydia, born Jan. 15, 1812, married Nathan Pratt, a farmer of
Taunton, Mass., Nov. 27, 1831; died Jan. 1, 1907. Five
children.
Martha Washington, born Jan. 6, 1814; married Dea. Samuel
Jones of Raynham, Mass., April 3, 1838; died May 6, 1901.
Seven children.
Harriet, born Feb. 9, 1817; married Dea. Josephus B. Smith of
Rehoboth. May, 1837; died March 7, 1848. They moved
to Illinois. She left four children.
BLISS, CYRUS WHEATON, son of Cyrus Bliss and Sukey
Jarvis (Harding) Bliss of Rehoboth, Mass., was born in Rehoboth,
April 14, 1823, and died in Rehoboth, April 4, 1883. He was
sixth in descent from Thomas Bliss, one of the proprietors and
founders of Rehoboth. He was educated in the public schook
of his native town and engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was
highly esteemed for his industry and for uprightness in all his re-
lations in life, of sturdy and upright character and purpose. De-
voted to his home, his family and his business, he led a successful
life, beloved and respected.
He married Jan. 1, 1851, Hannah T. Munroe of Rehoboth,
whose parents lived on the adjoining estate. She was born in
Rehoboth, Feb. 1, 1828, and died in Boston, Mass., Nov. 9, 1910.
She was seventh in descent from Richard Warren who came over
in the Mayflower, and fifth in descent from Captain Benjamin
Church and Alice Southworth. She was a prominent and active
318 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
member of the Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants.
She was educated in the public and private schools of her native
town and in the Friends' School of New Bedford* Mass.* and
throughout her long and happy life of usefulness she took a lively
interest in public, religious and social matters. A woman of re-
markable intellectual endowments and character, strong in am-
bition and purpose, full of hope and courage, ever seeking the higher
attainments in life, a loving, devoted wife and mother, beloved
and admired, whose life furnished a brilliant example of a noble
woman. Two children were bom of this wedlock. Frederic W.
Bliss, a lawyer of Boston, and Dr. George D. Bliss, a physician of
Boston.
BLISS, ELMER JARED, son of Leonard C. and Eliza C.
(Fisher) Bliss, was born in Wrentham, Mass., Aug. 11, 1867. He
prepared for college at the Edgartown High School and at once
entered the employ of the Brown-Durrell Co. of Boston, going on
the road as a salesman. In 1893, Mr. Bliss with Charles J. Cross
opened a retail shoe-store on Summer Street, Boston, under the
name of the Re^al Shoe Company. It was Mr. Bliss's aim to do
away with the mdependent middleman in trade and sell directly
to the consumer, thus creating a business of international scope.
His motto, "Sell directly from factory to foot" was applied with
energy and skill. In 1894 his firm was consolidated with that of
L. C. Bliss & Co., retaining the name Regal Shoe Company, and
making the elder Mr. Bliss its President. The younger Mr. Bliss
was known among his associates as '*the human dynamo," and
largely through his energy and enthusiasm the firm opened a chain
of stores extending throughout the larger cities of America and
other countries. This immense trade is supplied from four large
factories owned and controlled by the company of which Mr. Bliss
is the managing director, whose conspicuous ability is seen and
felt in every branch of the vast enterprise.
Mr. Bliss has effectively served the Boston Chamber of Com-
merce as its president and also the Massachusetts Society of In-
dustrial Education. He is a prominent member of several well-
known clubs, an enthusiastic horseman and yachtsman, and in
his taste for out-of-door sports his wife and children fully share.
When asked what has given him his greatest personal gratification,
he replied, **To live to see my father and mother enjoy the sunset
of their lives traveling over the world in ease and comfort."
In 1901, Mr. Bliss married Lena Harding, daughter of Phil-
ander and Lena (Tinker) Harding, a lineal descendant of Abraham
and Elizabeth Harding, who landed at Salem on the ship "Aba-
gail" in 1635. They have two children, Elmer Jared, Jr., and
Muriel Harding.
BLISSi FRANCIS A., son of Abiah and Julia Ann (Sturtevant)
Bliss, was born in Rehoboth, Nov. 18, 1837, on the Bliss home-
Mns. tIANNAir T. (MtiNriOK) IIL1S.>S
l-'ltKDKKH: W1tlc;ilT III.ISS
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 319
stead on Agricultural Avenue, where several generations of the
family have lived. He died Oct. 17, 1914, in his 77th year. He
attended the district school and later the select school in the Vil-
lage taught by Thomas W. Bicknell, through whose influence he
was induced to study for a year at the Thetford Academy in Ver-
mont. He also attended the Providence Seminary at East Green-
wich, R.I. He then taught in the Hornbine and the Annawan
districts in Rehoboth. This was in 1860 and '61. In October,
1861, he enlisted in Company I, First Massachusetts Cavalry,
under Col. Robert Williams. His regiment was stationed at Hil-
ton's Head and the adjoining island of Beaufort, S.C., where he
spent the greater part of three years. He was in several small en-
gagements, but saw his first hard fighting at the battle of Poco-
taligo, S.C. In this battle, while attempting to cut the railway
between Charleston and Savannah, Mr. Bliss was severely wounded
in his right arm and was off duty for two months. After three
years of service he re-enlisted with many of his comrades and th^
were ordered to Florida, where they fought under Gen. Seymour
in the disastrous battle of Olustee. In describing this battle Mr.
Bliss writes: **We had 6,000 men against 15,000 of the enemy.
They were entrenched behind breastworks and we in the open. For
more than an Iiour I had to ride back and forth in rear of the line
of battle, with a revolver in my hand to keep the men in the ranks.
A cannon-ball struck the ground just in front and covered me over
with dirt. The next instant a cannon-ball tore through the
branches of a tree over my head and the branches of the tree fell
on the horse; then the recall sounded." Then came the fierce
battle of Palatka, Fla., after which his battalion was ordered to
Virginia, where they arrived in time to participate in the battle
of the Wilderness and witness the surrender of Lee.
Mr. Bliss was appointed quartermaster sergeant, and served
until his discharge in December, 1865, his regiment having been
kept at Petersburg, Va., several months after the close of the war.
Here he contracted malarial fever which troubled him for many
years. On his return home he arranged for the purchase of his
father's farm, which was greatly improved under his careful super-
vision. He was one of the founders and first president of the
Farmer's Club, which was organized Feb. 11, 1874. He was
recognized as one of the most progressive farmers in the state,
keeping abreast with modern improvements in agriculture. He
was a strong advocate of temperance, the principles of which he
rigidly practiced. For a number of years he was an efficient mem-
ber of the school committee of the town.
lie joined the Congregational Church in Rehoboth Villi^e»
July 4, 1858 and was ordained one of its deacons in 1877, which
office he adorned for thirty-seven years. At the time of his death
he had been treasurer of the Church for thirty-two years, and for
eighteen years he was superintendent of the Sunday-school.
320 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
Mr. Bliss married Frances M.» daughter of Ira and Mary Ann
Carpenter of Rehoboth, Dec. 25, 1867. She was bom Nov. 16*
1840; died Aug. 27, 1914. Six children were bom to them: Albert
Abiah, born Nov. 4, 1868; Martha Bird, bom Aug. 28, 1871;
Adaline Hall, born Oct. 26, 1874; died July 4, 1909; Mary Car-
penter, born Sept. 26, 1879; died Oct. 16, 1899; Thomas Kent,
born Nov. 2, 1881; and Charles Sturtevant, bom Dec. 6, 1884.
BLISS, FREDERIC WRIGHT, lawyer and legislator, bom in
Rehoboth, Mass., Oct. 14, 1852; son of Cyrus W. and Hannah T.
(Munroe) Bliss; seventh in descent from Thomas Bliss, one of
the proprietors and founders of Rehoboth; sixth in descent from
Capt. Benjamin Church and Alice South worth; eighth in descent
from Richard Warren who came over in the Mayflower in 1620.
Educated in the public schools of Rehoboth, East Greenwich
Academy, Rhode Island; Ph.B. Brown University 1878; Fh.B.
Boston University 1878; LL.B. Boston University 1881. Un-
married.
Practiced law in Boston since 1881. Member Mass. House of
Representatives 1891-4. Author of Rapid Transit and Railroad
legislation. Director of Hunt-Spiller Manufacturing Corpora-
tion. Director of Mount Pleasant Home. Tmstee of Mass.
Homeopathic Hospital. Chairman of John Brown Memorial
Mass. Commission, 1914. Delegate to the Republican National
Convention, Chicago, 1904. Member Mass. Society of Mayflower
Descendants. Beta Theta Pi. Masonic Knight Templar. Past
Master of Saint John's Lodge, Boston. President Masonic Mas-
ters' Association, Boston. Clubs: Boston City; Economic. Re-
creations; travel and out-door life. Home, 508 Washington Street,
Dorchester, Boston, Mass. Ofiice, 89 State Street, Boston, Mass.
BLISS, GEORGE DANFORTH, M.D., born in Rehoboth,
Mass., Dec. 9, 1855; son of Cyrus W. and Hannah T. Munroe
Bliss; seventh in descent from Thomas Bliss, one of the proprietors
and founders of Rehoboth; sixth in descent from Capt. Benjamin
Church and Alice South worth; eighth in descent from Richard
Warren who came over in the Mayflower in 1620.
Educated in the public scliools of Rehobolli; graduated ut
Providence, R.I., High School in 1877; East Greenwich Academy,
Rhode Island; Boston University School of Medicine in 1881,
with degree of M.D.; post-graduate work Harvard Medical School;
attended surgical clinics in hospitals of London, Berlin, Vienna
and New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and Boston; Fellow of
American College of Surgeons. Unmarried.
Practiced Medicine and Surgery in Boston since 1881; Obstet-
rician, Mass. Homeopathic Hospital; Surgeon, Mass. Homeo-
pathic Dispensary, and physician in the departments of diseases
of women and diseases of the skin; Asst. Surgeon Boothby
1)11. (iKOIKlK DANKOItTII EILISt
jUjM
TIIK ((ll.K lIOMKSTHAn
Wll.l.tAM tt}\.K
DANKOIITII L. COLE
Three (ieDeriilii>n!i
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 321
Surgical Hospital, Boston. Member Mass. Medical Society;
Mass. Homeopathic Medical Society, and various other medical
and surgical societies; Delegate from Mass. Surgical and Gyne-
cological Society to the International Homeopathic council held
in London, 1914.
State Trustee Mass. Homeopathic Hospital; Director of Dor-
chester Savings Bank; Member Mass. Society of Mayflower
Descendants; Boston City Club; Masonic Societies, — Lodge,
Chapter, and Commandery of Knights Templar.
Contributions: Numerous papers on Medicine and Surgery to
medical magazines and reviews. Recreations: Travel and out-
door life. Residence, 508 Washington Street, Dorchester, Boston,
Mass.
BLISS, GEORGE WASHINGTON, MJD., son of Capt. Asa
and Mary (Emerson) Bliss, was born in Rehoboth, one mile north
of the Orleans Factoiy, Feb. 22, 1791; received his medical
diploma in Brown University in 1822; commenced practice in
Seekonk in August, 1823; died March 29, 1829, aged 39 years;
unmarried.
George W.,' of Asa* and Mary (Emerson), of Elisha,* of
Elisha,^ of Jonathan,' of Jonathan,' of Thomas.^
BLISS, CAPT. GEORGE WILLIAMS^ (of Asaph,« of Jacob,*
of Daniel,^ of Jonathan,' etc.), was the son of Capt. Asaph
Bliss of Rehoboth, and Abigail, daughter of George and Mercy
Williams. He was born Sept. 3, 1810, on the Bliss homestead,
one of five children who lived to grow up (Abby Williams,
Asaph Leonard, George Williams, Nelson Smith, Rosina). He
attended the district school of his neighborhood, supplemented
by a course at the Pawtucket Academy. As he grew up he worked
summers on the farm and taught school in the winter. This con-
tinued ten years, during which time he gained a high reputation
as a teacher, and ever after manifested a genuine interest in the
Rehoboth schools. At the age of twenty-nine he left his native
state and went to Florida, where he engaged in the lumber busi-
ness, building a saw-mill in co-operation with his brother-in-law,
Caleb Bowen. After Mr. Bowen's death, Mr. Bliss sold out his
business and returned to Rehoboth, after which he spent several
winters in the forests of North Carolina, cutting and working up
pine timber into shingles for the northern market. Buying out
the other heirs to his father's estate, he continued on the Farm,
with the exception of five years when he conducted a meat-market
in Pawtucket. He was upright in his dealings, genial in tempera-
ment and successful in business. He was a militiaman of the old
school, and at the age of twenty-two wa^ chosen captain, and after
Massachusetts
as in the
six years was promoted to major in the First Mass
Regiment. Tlie title of Captain always clung to him.
21
322 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
case of his father, Capt. Asaph. For eight years he was one of the
selectmen of the town, and for forty years justice of the peace.
He married (1) Betsey, daughter of Uriah and Sally (Carpenter)
Bowen of Attleborough. She was born July 30, 1812, and di^
Jan. 23, 1853. Their children were:
George Williams, born Oct. 18, 1835. He married, Sept. 8, 1859»
Mary K., daughter of Jefferson and Hannah Daggett of Paw-
tucket. Children: Susie P., Eva W., George Edwin, and
Mary Williams.
Wheaton Leonard, bom Dec. 22, 1837, married April 21, 1867,
I^ura A. P., daughter of Noah and Olive (Medbury) Bliss of
Rehoboth. Served two years in the Civil War, Co. A, 17Ui
Mass. Infantry. A farmer in Attleborough. Died Novem-
ber, 1910.
Warren Smith, 1st, born June 9, 1840. Died in childhood.
Warren Smith, 2d, born Jan. 1, 1845, married in Nantucket*
July, 1872, Mary F., daughter of Geroge W. and Mary Jenks.
Died at Gainesville, Fla., Aug. 1, 1876. Two children, one
who died in infancy, and Mabel Warren.
James Walter, born Jan. 27, 1847. Married April 19, 1883, Cleora
M. Perry, daughter of Ira and Emily (Read) Perry. Children :
Richard Perry, Mildred E., and Warren Edgar.
Henry Winslow, born Oct. 29, 1849. Married Oct. 10, 1873,
Annie Goff of Providence.
Capt. Bliss married (2) Julia Ann Carpenter of Rehoboth, Oct.
20, 1853. She was born March 30, 1808, and died Dec. 15, 1865.
They had one child, Betsey Ann, born March 20, 1856. Married,
Feb. 20, 1879, William B. Colwell of Johnston, R.I. Three chil-
dren: Elmer Warren, Ernest, Raymond Carpenter.
Capt. Bliss married (3) Julia Ann Tiffany of Attleborough,
June 4, 1867. She was born April 16, 1825, and died Feb. 21,
1917, in her 92d year. Capt. Bliss died Nov. 20, 1892, in his
eighty-third year.
BLISS, JAMES, M J>., son of Daniel and Sarah (Allen) Bliss,
born in Rehoboth, April 19, 1757; studied medicine with Doctors
Brownson and Blackinton; married Hannah Guild of Attle-
borough, by whom he had twelve children. At the age of nine-
teen he was for several months surgeon's mate in Col. Carpenter's
regiment in the War of the Revolution, and was at the battle of
White Plains. "He was a man of sound judgment, strict integrity^
and great industry and economy.'* As a physician he united
gentleness with skill. He was prominent in the affairs of the
Congregational Society and was for many years clerk of the
trustees. He owned the Headway farm just west of the Villa^
Cemetery, where he resided and where he died, Sept. 29, 1834, m
his 78th year. In the Bliss Genealogy, Dr. Bliss's descent is
traced to Thomas, the English ancestor, thus: Dr. James,* Dan-
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 323
iel,* Daniel,' Jonathan/ Jonathan,^ Thomas/ Jonathan,' Thomas,*
Thomas.'
BLISS, LEONARD, Jr., was the eldest son of Leonard and
Lydia (Talbot) Bliss and grandson of Dr. James Bliss of Rehoboth
and Hannah (Guild) Bliss of Attleborough. His mother was a
daughter of Josiah Talbot of Dighton. He was bom Dee. 12,
1811, probably at Savoy, Mass., his parents removing about this
time to Truxton, N.Y. He was a bright, active boy and was proud
of having won the first place in a spelling match at the age of
twelve. When he was fifteen he was converted in a revival and
joined the Congregational Church at Truxton. In 1828, he came
with his parents to Rehoboth to live. Dr. James Bliss, his grand-
father, owned a large farm just west of the Village Cemetery. Op-
pressed by the cares of his profession and the weight of increasing
years, he desired his son to take charge of the farm. This he did
until the Doctor's death in 1834, when he moved to the adjoining
farm, afterwards owned by Dr. Royal Carpenter and his son De
Witt. The house wius built by Dr. Bliss for his son Leonard in
1815.
Leonard Jr., being ambitious for an education and encour-
aged by his parents and his pastor. Rev. Thomas Vernon,
fitted for college at Mr. Colton's Academy (Mount Pleasant), at
Amherst in 1830, where he met and became intimate with Elias
Nason, who afterwards wrote "The Gazetter of Massachusetts.**
They entered Brown University together as room-mates in 1831.
Mr. Nason writes of his old chum : **He was a great reader and his
brain was full of literary schemes. His scholarship was good, but
he had rather spend time in reading and writing poetry than over
the pa^es of Le Croix's Algebra."
Straitened for means, young Bliss began in his Junior year to
write the History of Rehoboth. He found the task diflSlcult; his
health became impaired, and he was unable to return to college
to graduate with his class. Consumptive tendencies developed
and he suffered from a hemorrhage of the lungs. In the summer
of 1834, having taught the previous winter at Bridgewater,
Dr. Parsons, his physician, said he "must go home to die."
He still worked on his history, and in August of that year he
had two hundred and sixty-five subscribers for it. The book
was published in 1836, and was well received, but like town his-
tories generally, it brought its author more fame than money.
Having in a measure regained his health, he taught school at
Plymouth, Mass., and other places; then bought and edited for a
time the Boston Republican. He contributed articles to the North
American Review and The Christian Examiner,
His fiancee was Miss Caroline M. Carpenter, daughter of Lem-
uel C. and Lucinda (Wheaton) Carpenter of Seekonk, daughter of
Capt. Joseph Wheaton of Rehoboth. Their engagement was des-
324 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
lined to a sad ending through his untimely death by the bullet of
a murderer.
In 1837, Mr. Bliss left Rehoboth with his brother, afterwards
the Rev. James Bliss of Bloomington, 111. At Louisville he met
George D. Prentice, editor of the Louisville Journal^ and assisted
him on the paper. He was chosen professor of history and geneial
literature in the Louisville Institute, just then started; but this
enterprise failed for lack of endowment, and in 1840 he became
editor of the Louisville Literary News Letter. Bliss wrote several
books, including an English grammar. His life was one of in-
tense activity, his greatest incentive being, as he said, not ''the
love of fame, but the love of achievement.*'
On reporting for the Louisville Journal a political speech made
by Henry C. Pope, he was hunted through the streets by Godfrey
Pope, a cousin of the latter, and shot down as he was coming out
of the Gait house with Mr. Dinneford the actor. This shameful
murder by a hot-blooded Southerner occurred on the 28th of
September, 1842. Pope was tried for murder, but having money
and influence was accjuitted on the ground of self-defence, as Mr.
Bliss had a revolver in his pocket. After ten days of suffering he
passed away, surrounded by scores of friends, evidencing forgive-
ness to all and hope in God. He was followed to the grave by three
hundred young men as personal friends and mourners. Godfrey
Pope was practically ostracised. He enlisted in the Mexican war
and was shot by a sentinel on failing to give the countersign.
Henry C. Pope was killed in a duel. Truly "Evil shall hunt the
violent man and overthrow him."
The qualities of Mr. Bliss were of a high order. He was fond
of poetry and held the i>en of a ready writer. Elias Nason says
of him: ''He was sanguine in temperament and his imagination
vivid. He read and wrote incessantly, and his writings, if collected,
would fill many volumes. lie gave lectures publicly on History,
Archery, Temperance, etc. He corresponded with Jared Sparks,
James Savage, and other distinguished men.'* No finer tribute
can be paid to his memory than the following from the pen of his
fianc^. Miss Carpenter: "He was ambitious and high-spirited,
genial in temperament and generous to a fault; with a wealth of
affection to mankind that led to his putting forth his best efforts
for tlie uplifting of liumanity."
BLISS, LEONARD CARPENTER, was born in Rehoboth, Julv
10, 1834. His father was Captain James Bliss, born in Rehoboth
Nov. 7, 1787, the sou of Mary Curfienter of Rehoboth. His mother
was Peddy Peek, born in Rehoboth March 20, 1805, the daughter
of Cromwell Peck, who was of the sixth generation of Pecks in this
country. His ancestors, Thomas and George Bliss, came from
Devonshire County, England, to Massachusetts in 1635. His
mother was descended from Joseph Peck of Yorkshire County,
I.KONARI) (AHI'RNTRH IILISS
ELMER JAIIKD DLISS
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 325
England, who came to America with his family in 1638. They
settled first in Hingham, but soon removed to Rehoboth. Mr.
Bliss's father was a well-to-do farmer. Earlier relatives on his
mother *s side conducted in Rehoboth an iron forging business on
the eastern branch of Palmer's River near Great Meadow Hill.
When Mr. Bliss was ten years old, his family moved from Re-
hoboth to Wrentham, Mass., where they lived until he was about
sixteen and where his schooling was continued and completed.
Then there occurred the incident which, as Mr. Bliss described it,
"shaped the course of my future life." At the suggestion of his
school teacher he took charge of a general store and postoffice at
Walpole, Mass., for a short time, and so began his busmess career.
He next took a position in Calvin Turner's general store in Sharon,
Mass. Oliver Ames of Boston, one of his customers, observing his
efliciency, offered him a position 05 clerk in the store of the Oakes
Ames Shovel Manufactory in North Easton, Mass., which he ac-
cepted and soon after became manager of the business at the age
of nineteen. After ten years of faithful service, he purchased a
large grocery business, including flour and grain, at North Bridge-
water, Mass., now Brockton, receiving a loan of $2,000 from Mr.
Ames. Here he built up an extensive business and acquired a good
reputation us a large merchandiser. After some years he sold
out his business, to enter the retail dry goods and shoe business
at Foxborough, Mass., and later opened a store at Edgartown.
These too he disposed of, and in 1880 he purchased a small shoe
manufacturing plant in Brockton, Mass., under the firm name of
L. C. Bliss & Co., where he began manufacturing men's shoes
of a high quality for the retail trade.
In September, 1893, Mr. Bliss's son, Elmer J. Bliss, formed in
Boston the firm of Bliss & Cross, under the name of the Regal
Shoe Company, and oi>ened a chain of stores in several large cities.
In 1894 this firm was consolidated with that of L. C. Bliss & Co.
and did business under the latter name, removing its plant from
Brockton to Whitman, Mass. In 1903 the business was incor-
porated under the name of the Regal Shoe Co. with L. C. Bliss as
President. Thus Mr. Bliss lived to find himself the senior oflicer
of a va^t and flourishing industry, with a chain of stores established
from the Atlantic to the Pacific and in Europe. In his later years
he took no active part in the business, and had abundant leisure
for travel and other wholesome recreations.
Mr. Bliss's benevolences were numerous and generous. His
name is honored in the "Bliss Union Chapel" of Wrentham and the
Congregational Church of Rehoboth, where he placed five Memo-
rial windows, and secured the placing of three others by Cornelius
N. Bliss of New York, who was also of Rehoboth ancestry. One
of these decorative windows contains the first prayer said on the
ship "Mayflower."
326 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
Referring to his career, Mr. Bliss said, *'I attribute my success
in life to a strong-minded, strongly religious mother." He was
united in marriage on October 20, 1863, with Eliza C. Fisher,
daughter of Captain Jared and Desire A. Fisher. He is survived
by his widow and also by Elmer Jared Bliss, Bertha Leonard
(Bliss) Hinson, and Fannie Agnes (Bliss) Thayer.
BLISS, ZENAS, AJM., son of Zenas and Keziah (Wilmarth)
Bliss, grandson of Jonathan and Lydia (Wheeler) Bliss, was bom
in Rehoboth, June 11, 1806; graduated at Brown University in
1826; married Phebe Waterman Randall of Johnstone, R.I., in-
tention, Dec. 29, 1827; read law, but became a manufacturer
at Johnstone, R.I. His son, Zenas Randall Bliss of Providence is
a graduate of West Point Military School, 1854, and for a time
was acting Brigadier-General in the United States Army, usually
spoken of as "Col. Bliss," being Lieut.-Colonel by brevet.
BOSWORTH, EDWm RUTHVEN, contractor and builder,
was born in Rehoboth March 16, 1826. His father was Peleg Bos-
worth and the family were among the early settlers of the town.
Edwin was one of twelve children. He worked on his father's
farm and went to school until he was seventeen years old, then
went to Providence to learn the carpenter's trade; worked for
a year in Fall River and was afterwards employed as a skilled
workman for four years at Palmer. In 1850 he started as a
carpenter and builder at Palmer, and erected the New Ix)ndon &
Northern Railroad Station, and also the Baptist Church of that
[>lace. After a time he went West but afterwards returned and
ived at Amherst and looked after the construction of the Ap-
pleton Cabinet Building. Later he settled in Easthampton and
soon came to be recognized as one of the most successful builders
in that part of New England. The Town Hall, the Gymnasium,
one of the halls of Williston Seminary, the First National Bank
Building un<l the High School were inifiortunt constructions of his.
lie also built the First National Bank at Northampton.
In addition to being a builder, he was also an architect and civil
engineer. In 1873 he was associated with C. W*. Richards in the
lumber business at Springfield. At Easthampton he was several
times elected to the Board of Selectmen. He was a director of the
Easthampton National Bank, and was a trustee and member of the
financial committee of the town Savings Bank. He was for sev-
eral years sent to the Massachusetts legislature. He died at
Easthampton, July 18, 1887, in his 65th year.
BOWEN, AMOS MILLER, was a lineul descendant of Richard
Bowen of Rehoboth, 1640. He was born in Providence, Jan. 22,
1838, son of William Bradford and Hannah Boyd (Miller) Bowen.
He was educated in the public schools of Providence and was a
student in Brown University when he enlisted as a private in Co.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 327
A, 1st Regiment Rhode Island Detached Militia, April 17, 1861,
mustered m May 2, 1861. He was taken prisoner at Bull Run,
July 21, 1861, paroled, May 22, 1862, and discharged July 22,
1862. He was commissioned 1st Lieut. Co. C, 2d Regiment Rhode
Island Volunteers, Feb. 16, 1863; September, 1863, Actmg A.D.
C. to Gen. Eustiss, commanding Brigade, and so borne until May
1864. Mustered out June 17, 1864.
Upon his return from the Civil War he entered the fire insurance
business, and was for about thirty-five years president and treasurer
of the Franklin Mutual Fire Insurance Company. At the time
of his decease he was secretary of the Rhode Island State House
Commission. He served six years in the Rhode Island House of
Representatives and for nineteen years on the Providence School
Committee, two years as its secretary. He was a charter member
of St. James Episcopal Church, and its senior warden until his
decease. He served as 1st Lieut, of Co. A, 1st Light Infantry
Regiment. He was a member of Rodman Post, G. A. R., and of
the Massachusetts Commandery of the Military Order of the
Loyal legion. He was awarded the honorary degree of A.M. by
his alma mater in 1891 as a member of the class of 1863. He mar-
ried (1) Caroline Mary Perez of Attleborough, Mass., Nov. 4,
1863, daughter of Manuel Perez (from San Jose, Cuba) and Mary
(Witherell) Perez. She died Nov. 12, 1867. Children;
William Manuel Perez, born at Attleborough, Mass., Sept. 8,
1864; married Aug. 4, 1900, at New York City, Lucie Mc-
Mahon Carpenter.
Mary Caroline Wheaton, born at Providence, May 28, 1866.
lie married (2) Eliza Rhodes Henry, of Providence, April 14,
1869. Children:
Annie Olive, born April 23, 1870.
Richard, born April 8, 1872; married Sept. 18, 1905, Annie Holden
Andrews of Providence.
Amos Miller, Jr., born Oct. 18, 1873; married Feb. 3, 1898, Mary
Turner Aspinwall, of Sharon, Mass., who died April 29, 1902.
Alice Lindley, born Feb. 15, 1876; married Dec. 25, 1900, Charles
W. Low, of Brockton, Mass.
Florence Rhodes, born March 12, 1878; married at Colon, Pan-
ama, June 9, 1905, Will Adelbert Clader of Philadelphia. A
daughter, Hope Miller, born at Providence, Jan. 22, 1909.
Lillian Shearman, born May 12, 1880; married Dec. 25, 1911,
Ernest Ford Salisbury of Providence.
Harold Gardiner, horn Nov. 0, 1883; lieutenant U. S.^Navy;
married Sept. 23, 1911, Margaret Edith Brownlie, of Vallejo,
Cal. A son, Harold Gardiner, Jr., born at Annapolis, Md.,
Oct. 15, 1912.
Marion Henry, born Dec. 30, 1886; married Nov. 8, 1909, Fred-
erick Mason of Providence.
328 HISTORY OP REHOBOTH
Mr. Bowen died at Providence June 3» 1907» and was buried
at Lakeside Cemetery, Rumford, R.I.
BOWEN, COL. LYNDAL, son of Nathan and Patience Lindley
Bowen, was born in Rehoboth, Aug. 9, 1804, on the homestead
which had been in the possession of the Bowen family for five
generations. As a boy he attended the schools of his native town
and helped his father with the work on the farm. He learned the
trade of a wheelwright, which he carried on later in Rehoboth
Village.
CoT. Bowen was nrominent in the Rehoboth Militia. He was
for a time colonel of the First Regiment, 2d Brigade, 5Ui
Division, which was organized in June, 1685, and disbanded by
the Massachusetts Legislature, April 24, .1840. Col. Bowen s
commission was dated Oct. 23, 1830. He led this famous old
regiment in escorting President Jackson when he passed through
Pawtucket, June 21, 1833. Col. Bowen presented the state and
regimental colors of this regiment to the Rehoboth Antiquarian
Society. He died Sept. 11, 1890.
He married Joanna Nichols of Rehoboth, Oct. 4, 1829, and went
to live in Rehoboth Village. After a few years he returned to the
farm adjoining that of his father and applied himself to its cul-
tivation in connection with the business of wheelwright and wood
turner. Eight children were bom of this marriage:
Nancy Maria, Jan. 1, 1831; married Pardon Bosworth, Aug. 17,
1853, to whom were born Jefferson D., Maria Louisa, George
Henry and two other children who died in infancy.
Josiah Quincy, June 13, 1833; married Rebecca Ann Smith, Oct.
31, 1858, of which marriage were bom: Frank Smith, Elmer
Ellsworth, Adelaide Chester, Celestia Day, and Stephen
Lyndal Bowen.
Graniolle Stevens, Nov. 10, 1835; married Adaline Dolson, May
31, 1869. Of this union were born: Harry, Abbie Avis, Amy
Ann, William S., Cassie Maria, and George Ralph. Died
Feb. 7, 1916.
Susan Martin, Oct. 24, 1837; married John W. Briggs, Sept. 30,
1875, to whom were born Howard Bowen and Alice Cary.
Died Feb. 26, 1918.
Anna Elizabeth, Sept. 9, 1842; unmarried. Died Nov. 13, 1915.
Henrietta, June 1, 1844; married Joseph W. Baker, June 1, 1880,
to whom was bom Roger Williams. Died Jan. 20, 1916.
David Mendon, July 3, 1847; married Elizabeth Martin, Nov.
2, 1876.
Florence Eudora, Oct. 20, 1849; unmarried.
BOWEN, REUBEN, grandson of Uriah and Esther. Uriah
settled in Rehoboth about the middle of the 18th century, and
built a saw-mill on the stream flowing through his land, doing
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 329
business for a number of years in connection with Benjamin Mun-
roc, who was a grandson of Capt. Benjamin Church of Annawan
fame. Traces of the old dam may still be seen.
Ephraim, son of Uriah, married Rhoda Bates. He was born on
the Bowen homestead Jan. 7, 1769, where he lived, carrying on
the farm until his death, Sept. 17, 1856.
Reuben, son of Ephraim and Rhoda, was born in the same
house, Oct. 15, 1812. In his youth he worked on the farm, attend-
ing the district school winters and, when old enough, learned the
carpenter's trade, at which he worked for several years. For a
time he was engaged in the manufacture of straw goods in the
town of Wrentham, where he met the lady who became his wife.
Years before railroads were common in New England, Mr. Bowen
made horseback journeys into Northern Vermont and Canada,
often in company with Abiah Bliss, Jr., where they would pur-
chase horses and lead them home in groups, a distance of several
hundred miles. They also brought down herds of cattle year
after year and sold them both for breeding and for the shambles.
In many instances tliese long trips were very fatiguing, and only
strong, resolute men could endure the hardships involved. In
later years, Mr. Bowen made a specialty of horses and shipped
them in car-loads from various Canadian marts. Some of these
trading trips were made in partnership with his son-in-law, Seneca
Cole. The horses were sold to people in Attleborough, Rehoboth
and neighboring towns. The mterest in live stock continued in
Mr. Bowen 's sons, William B. and Murray J., who carry on the
farm together. A fine herd of twenty-three Holsteins was de-
stroyed when the barns were burned, Nov. 27, 1900. A new herd
of thirty was at once secured whose milk sells readily without
addition from other breeds. A yoke of Holstein oxen raised on the
farm weighing 4,300 pounds was sold for $400 in 1914 to Andrew
Turner of Dighton. Mr. Bowen began selling milk seventy -five
years ago in a jug which he used to carry to Providence with a load
of wood drawn by oxen. How great the contrast between then and
now! How rapid and extensive the progress in scientific farming!
Having an aptitude for business, he was very successful making
investments in various stocks, while he constantly improved his
farm which came to be one of the best in town. He had great
energy and unusual sagacity. He was a member and constant
attendant at the Congregational Church in the Village, and was
one of the largest givers for its support. He was gifted in con-
versation, keen in repartee, a geniai companion and a firm friend.
Mr. Bowen married first, Sarah Ann George of Wrentham »
Dec. 4, 1837; died Nov. 1, 1861. They had eleven children:
George Reuben, born Nov. 17, 1838; died April 5, 1853.
Edward Lawrence, born March 12, 1841; married Mary Lowe of
Providence, R.I., March 12, 1867. No children.
330 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
Harriet Augusta, born July 3, 1845; married William Henry
Marvel of Rehoboth, June 25, 1865; died May 29, 1872.
He died May 20, 1909. Two children.
Ellen Maria, born April 11, 1843; married George W. Marsh of
Providence, R.I.. July 27, 1871. He died July 12, 1897.
No children.
Charles Artemus, born April 10, 1848; married Nancy Peck
Bowen, daughter of Otis P. Bowen of Rehoboth, March 3,
1871. Four children.
Catherine Walton, born March 24, 1850; married Joseph F. Earle,
June 5, 1875. He died May 17, 1912. Four children.
Ida Adelaide, born May 27, 1852; died Sept. 14, 1857.
Clara George, born Feb. 27, 1855; married Christopher C. Viall,
April 14, 1881. Two children.
George Warren, born Jan. 26, 1857 ; married Huldali A. Baker
Jan. 19, 1881. One daughter, Luella.
Virginia Adelaide, born April 23, 1859; married Oscar Perry,
March 17, 1882. Eight children, six living.
Sarah Ann, born Nov. 1, 1861; died Feb. 10, 1884.
Second wife, Sarah Murray Blanding of Rehoboth, Feb. 23,
1865 (died Dec. 31, 1911). Four children as follows:
William Blanding, born Dec. 1, 1865; married Sabina A. (Nichols)
Horton, Dec. 6, 1906. Two children.
Elizabeth Carpenter, born March 26, 1867; married Seneca Cole
of Attleborough, Aug. 28, 1890. One child.
Murray James, born May 22, 1869; married, first, Mary L. Gib-
bons, Skowhegan, Me., Oct. 23, 1894. Second wife, Evelyn
E. Bruen of Attleborough, Feb. 17, 1904. One child.
Susan Augusta, born June 19, 1872; married John C, Kingsford,
Nov. 18. 1903. One child.
Mr. Bowen died March 20, 1903, aged 90 years.
BOWEN, WttLIAM HENRY, son of Isaiah and Lydia (Goff)
Bowen, was born in Rehoboth, Aug. 18, 1819. He was the eldest
of three children, a brother, George Washington, with whom he
was most closely allied for over seventy years, and a sister Emely
Ann, who died at the age of twelve years.
Mr. Bowen was educated in the public schools of the town and
at the private school of Rev. Otis Thomp.son. He was much in-
terested in educational matters, teaching in the schools of Rehoboth
and Swansea and in later years serving on tiie Rehoboth School
Boanl. He was u mechanic by trade, us a young man helping
his father in the workshop still standing upon the farm where he
spent his whole life of nearly eighty-five years. They made handles
of axes, chisels and hammers.
In the heart of the deep woods, under a bass-wood tree, stood
a little mill, the foundations of which may still be seen, where
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 331
bobbins were turned. There was little machinery and much
hand- work. For many years farming was the occupation of the
summer months and the workshop the center of winter activities.
Mr. Bo wen spent his life upon the homestead place, increasing
its size by buying land, and he also built, in company with his
brother George, a house on the opposite side of the road from the
old gambrel-roofed house in which he was born. In 1872 he mar-
ried Grace L. Patten of Attleborough, Mass., then teaching at the
Wheeler School in Rehoboth, while he was serving on its com-
mittee.
Mr. Bowen died March 19, 1904, at the age of eighty-four years
and seven months. His widow, Mrs. Grace L. Bowen, a daughter,
Emily Bradford (Bowen) Horton, and his aged brother survived
him.
Mrs. Bowen's daughter by a previous marriage, Hannah M.
Patten, married Francis A. Goff, and their son, Lester Goff, a
talented musician, plays the organ at the Village Church.
BOWEN, WILLIAM MANUEL PEREZ, practicing attorney,
and an official in Rhode Island corporations of note, was born m
Attleborough, Mass., Sept. 8, 1864. He is a son of Amos Miller
Bowen, who was a soldier in the Civil War. The family are
descendants of Richard Bowen, who emigrated from Glamorgan-
shire, Wales, in 1G40, and was among the first settlers in Rehoboth.
Richard Bowen's ancestry (Owen) descended from the Welsh
princes and Henry Tudor of the English Tudors. Maternally,
Caroline Mary (Perez) Bowen (mother) descended from the Span-
ish and Cuban families of Perez and Capote. The earliest ances-
tors are of various colonial origin, including the Mayflower through
the Fullers; and many members fought in the Colonial Wars, War
of 1812 and Civil War.
W. M. P. Bowen received a liberal education in the schools of
Providence, later entering Brown University, and was graduated
therefrom, A.B. 1884, and A.M. 1887. He thereupon took up his
law studies and was assistant clerk in the County Court, Provi-
dence, from 1884 to 1901. He began practice of the law in Prov-
idence in 1901, and since that time has been engaged in general
practice before the State and Federal bar, and is a standing master
in chancery. Mr. Bowen was a member of the Providence School
Committee in 1899, and was elected a member of the Rhode Island
House of Representatives, 1902-05-OG, and State Senator from
Providence 1909^10. He was member (1909-12) of the Special
Taxation Committee, which revised the tax-laws of the state.
For some years he has been chairman of the Republican City
Committee of Providence.
Mr. Bowen is a member of St. Stephen's P. E. Church; life mem-
ber of League of American Wheelmen, and active in promoting
good roads. Also author of important state highway legislation.
832 HISTORY OP REHOBOTH
Member University Club, Quarter Century Club» Rhode Island
School of Design* Sons of the American Revolution, Military Order
of the Loyal Legion, and United Train of Artillery. Past Rhode
Island Division Commander, Sons of Veterans; Colonel First
Light Infantry Regiment, 1911-13, and on retired list Rhode Is-
land Militia with rank of colonel; enlisted in third and fourth
military training camps at Plattsburg, N.Y., 1915 and 1916;
thirty-second degree Mason and Shriner. Since 1897, secretary
of the Providence Building, Sanitary and Educational Associa-
tion; secretary Pascoag Water Company; President U. S. Ring
Traveler Company, Providence.
BROWN, CHARLOTTE WRIGHT (PECK), daughter of Syl-
vanus and Charlotte Wright Peck, was born in Rehoboth, March
15, 1808. She gained the rudiments of learning at the district
school known as the "Palmer's River School," or district number
eight. She was an apt pupil, acquiring a taste for good reading
and became a diligent student of the Bible. She married, Oct. 7,
1827, Eleazer A. Brown, and resided for several years at the "Shad
Factory." Later her home was in Rehoboth Village. She united
with the Village Church, July 3, 1830, under the pastorate of Rev.
Thomas Vernon. Mrs. Brown was a woman of great energy, and
was foremost in every worthy enterprise in both the church and
community. She did more than any one else in promoting the
Bicknell High School. While her own family was large, there
was always ''room for one more," and ministers and teachers often
enjoyed her generous hospitality. Though sorely afflicted in the
loss of her children, she bore her many trials without a murmur.
As the bitter mingled with the sweet in her life, she could ever say,
with unwavering trust in her Heavenly Father, 'TThy will be done."
She was not only optimistic, but kind and sympathetic. Many a
sick-room was cheered by her presence, and the passage of many
a one down the dark valley was made smoother by her gentle
touch. She passed away April 11, 1888. A brave, gentle, noble
woman!
BROWN, ELEAZER ARNOLD, was born in Cumberland, R.I.,
Aug. 13, 1800. He was third in a family of ten children. His
father also was Eleazer and a native of Cumberland, a respected
citizen, a farmer and cooper by occupation. In the days of the
militia he held the office of ensign in the Diamond Hill Company.
His mother was Elizabeth Cole, daughter of John Cole who went
from Rehoboth, where his ancestors had settled. Elizabeth had
few advantages for culture, but she was a woman of great firmness,
and her children were trained under a strict discipline. Both
father and mother died at the advanced age of 84 years.
The father, Eleazer, was the son of Nicholas Brown, who was a
man of energy and ability. At the age of eighteen, Nicholas took
Mi«. CIIAltLO'lTK W. (I'KCK) BROWN
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 333
his musket and started for Concord, and fought in the battle of
Lexington; here he so injured his ankle that the leg had to be
amputated, and he ever after wore a wooden leg. He was a chief
elder in the Quaker church; he married Susanna Arnold, whose
father was one of the proprietors of Arnold's Mills. Nicholas had
seven children of whom Eleazer was the second. The father of
Nicholas and great-grandfather of the subject of our sketch was
Jabez Brown of Smithfield, R.I. His wife was a Whipple and they
lived in a little house on Molasses Hill, on the banks of the Black-
stone, where they brought up seventeen children.
From these facts we see that Eleazer was descended from a hardy
New England stock. Until he was fourteen he lived at Cumber-
land with his parents, working on the farm summers and attending
school winters. He always remembered the stem old school-
master, Arnold Speare, whose heavy ferule kept the boys on a
straight line. When he was fourteen the family moved to Georgia-
ville and Eleazer was put into the factory to tend spinning-frames.
He worked two years at two dollars a week, when he became
mastcr-spinncr and liis wages were increased. After two years
more he^ went into the factory store and soon had charge of it.
Continuing for four years and a half, he then went to Providence
at the age of twenty-two and started a store on his own account.
It was located on North Main Street, next door to St. John's
Church. After about two years' experience he concluded that he
was better adapted for mechanical than for mercantile business.
He sold out to a Mr. Hawkcs, a watchmaker, in 1824, and went to
Branch Village, Smithfield, R.I., as superintendent of a factory,
where he remained only a short time. In the winter of 1824, he
attended the academy at Uxbridge, and afterwards went into
Philip Allen's factory in Smithfield as second hand in the card-
room, where he first met Benjamin Peck, who was superintendent
of the mill. After two years he went with Mr. Peck to Rehoboth
and took charge of the card-room at the Orleans Mill. **There,"
he says, "my taste for machinery was gratified." The mill then
employee! from twenty to twenty-five hands.
Sept. 17, 1827, he was married by Rev. Thomas Vernon to
Charlotte Wright Peck of South Rehoboth, with whom he lived
happily for more than sixty years. On Jan. 3, 1830, they both
united with the Village Church on confession of faith. In 1836,
he left the Orleans Factory, and after four years at Woodstock, Ct.,
came to Rehoboth Village, where he became manager and after-
wards part owner of the Factory property. He resided here until
his death, June 1, 1889, and was a respected citizen and an honored
deacon in the Congregational Church. He was ordained to thid
ofiice March 4, 1841.
Deacon Brown was a man of unusual intelligence. He had an
original way of putting things and was very quick at repartee.
334 HISTORY OP REHOBOTH
His language was choice and exact; he knew what he believed and
could express his ideas clearly and unequivocally. He was very
fond of machinery, and spent a large part of his time in making
or mending something. He invented a machine for twisting or
winding twine, the idea coming to him in his sleep. He was em-
?haticfdly a religious man, and a thorough student of the Bible,
k^hen very old, he went to church leaning on his cane until he
could scarcely totter to his place. He died May 30, 1889, in his
89th year.
He had eleven children, most of whom died young. Three sons
served through nearly the whole period of the Civil War:
Edward Payson in the Fourth R.I. Regiment, breveted major
for gallant conduct; l>ccamc a prominent lawyer.
Arnold DeF., second lieut. in the Third R.I. Cavalry, and
James P., became second lieut. in the Fourteenth R.I. Heavy
Artillery (colored). Killed in battle.
BROWN, MAJOR EDWARD P., born Feb. 8, 1840, was son
of Dea. E. A. and Charlotte W. (Peck) Brown. He prepared for
college at the Rehoboth High School, Thetford Academy, Vt.,
and the University Grammar School of Providence, R.I. En-
tered Brown University in 1859; enlisted Aug. 31, 1862, with
commission of 2d Lieut, in Co. I, 4th R.I. regiment; later pro-
moted to 1st Lieut., to Captain, and to rank of Major b^ brevet,
for gallant conduct in battle. Returned in 1865, finished his
course at Brown, graduating in 1867; graduated at the Harvard
Law School in 1869; began the practice of law at North Attle-
borough, Mass., and removed to Boston in 1870; for three years
was chosen member of the General Court from Boston; con-
ducted the noted case of Gen. B. F. Butler, then Governor of
Massachusetts, vs. the managers of the Tewksbury alms-house,
and won the verdict of acquittal on the charges made by the
Governor. He became a well-known lawyer in Boston, and later
practiced law in New York.
Major Brown married first Miss Emma I. Clapp, of Boston,
in 1866, by whom he had three children, Edith, Ethel and Harold.
Mrs. Brown died in 1888. He married for his second wife, April
1892, Elizabeth E. Hough of New York, who survives him. He
died July 26, 1909, and is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, N.Y.,
where a fine monument marks his resting-place.
BROWN, JAMES, son of John of Wannamoiset and Dorothy,
admitted freeman at Plymouth, 1636, at Taunton, 1643, and at
Rehoboth, 1658; married Lydia Howland, daughter of John How-
land of the Mayflower. Like his father, he was liberal in religious
matters and a warm friend of Rev. John Miles, with whom he was
fined £5. for setting up a Baptist meeting in Rehoboth in 1667.
He was one of the seven charter members of the Miles Church
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 335
formed that year in connection with the new town of Swansea.
Mr. Brown was the foremost citizen of the town; he had been
Governor's assistant in 1665 and 1666, and between 1670 and 1675;
was deputy to the Plymouth Court from Swansea in 1669, *71,
and '72. He was active in Philip's war, and on June 14 and 15»
1675, went to Philip to persuade him to be quiet. He would have
been killed by the excited Indians had not Philip prevented it»
saying that his "father had requested him to do no tiarm to Mr.
Brown, as he had received repeated kindnesses from him." He
doubtless lived on his father's large estate at Wannamoiset and is
buried at Little Neck.
BROWN, JOHN. The ancestors of the Brown families lived
in the south and west of England, and emigrated to Boston and
Plymouth between the years 1620 and 1692. Peter Brown, the
first-comer, was of Puritan stock, and came in the Mayflower in
1620. John Brown became acquainted with the Pilgrims at Ley-
den, prior to 1620. The year of his arrival in America is unknown,
probably about 1630, as we find him elected a freeman in 1634,
and in 1636 an assistant to the Governor of Plymouth, an office
which he held by annual election for seventeen years. Mr. Brown
was a man of large intelligence, great energy of character, and deep
and earnest piety. He was a grand pioneer in the settlement of
the towns on the west of old Plymouth. In 1636 he was a resident
of Duxbury. We find his name among the purchasers of the tract
of land called Cohannett, or Taunton, in 1637, and he with Miles
Standish erected bounds around tiie purchase in 1640. During the
next year he was one of the company to purchase Rehoboth, and
his interest in that township was the largest of any, amounting
to six hundred pounds. Prior to June 9, 1645, he had removed to
Rehoboth, for we find his name first with six others who were
chosen to order the prudential affairs of that town for six months.
His son James removed from Taunton with him, and his son John
followed in 1647. In December, 1645, Mr. Brown, Sr., became
sole proprietor of the section known by the Indians as Wannamoi-
set, and Wannamoiset Neck (now Bullock's Point and River-
side), which originally included a portion of the present towns of
Rehoboth and Swansea, with a portion of Barrington and the
south part of Seekonk and East Providence. His name appears
on all of the important committees of the town. Now he was
chosen to carry on a suit at the Court; afterwards "to make dil-
igent search to find out the most convenient way between Reho-
both and Dedham"; then he, with Mr. Peter Hunt, was ordered
to go to Plymouth, "to make agreement about the Indian com-
plaints"; and various other records of public duties, which in-
dicate his prominence and ability as a citizen of the town and of
the colony. His liberal sentiments on religious affairs were positive*
and as a colonial magistrate he expressed his scruples as to the
• A 1'
336 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
propriety of coercing the people to support the mtiiister» and of-
fered to pay all delinquencies from his own estates. In 16^ the
colonies of Plymouth, Massachusetts, Connecticut and New
Haven united in a confederacy, styled The United Colonies of
New England, for their common defence and welfare. Each col-
ony sent two commissioners to the meetings of this body. Mr.
John Brown represented Plymouth Colony for twelve years, and
was associated m these deliberations with sudi men as John Win-
throp. Gov. Haynes, Mr. Eaton, Mr. Bradstreet, and Gov. Wins-
low. In this body he exercised a large influence, and served the
colony wisely and faithfully. He was captain of the Swansea
militia, and built the house m which he lived till his death, on the
main road, near Riverside, East Providence. He died April 10,
1662, and was buried at the Little Neck Burial Ground, near
Bullock's Cove. His widow, Dorothy Brown, was buried there;
she died at Swansea, Jan. 27, 1674, aged ninety years. His daugh-
ter Mary and her husband, Capt. Thomas Willett, with other
descendants, were buried in this ground. Mr. Brown left three
children: Mary, who married Capt. Thomas Willett; John, Jr.,
who settled with his father in Rehoboth; and James Brown, who
was one of the most influential men in the founding of Swansea, as
well as one of the leading members of Mr. Miles's church.
BROWN, WALTER DeFOREST, son of Arnold DcForest and
Amanda M. (Horton) Brown, was bom in Rehoboth, Nov. 6,
1861. In addition to the district schools of Rehoboth, he studied
at the State Street Intermediate and Benefit Street Grammar
Schools of Providence, R.I.; also two vears at the Rogers High
Sdiool at Newport. After a commercial course at the Bryant and
Stratton School in Providence, at the age of nineteen he became
entry clerk of the wholesale grocery house of Bugbee & Brownell,
remaining four and a half years. He was next employed in the
wholesale grain house of Messrs. Day, Sons & Co. on Dyer Street
for about Uie same length of time. In 1899 he became bookkeeper
with the National India Rubber Co., holding this position until
1904, when he was elected secretary, and in 1905 he was honored
bv being chosen treasurer also, and faithfully performed the duties
of both oflices. This large company employs about nineteen hun-
dred people, carrying on an extensive business and requiring a man
of large capacity to conduct its finances.
Mr. Brown was married in 1883 to Martha T., daughter of
Edward D. Jones, Jr., of Newport. One daughter, Viola T., was
born to them Aug. 27, 1888. She married Harold Van Gaasbeek,
Aug. 20, 1913. Their daughter Barbara was born Sept. 7, 1915.
Mr. Brown was a member of Capital Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Prov-
idence, having passed through all the chairs. He was a member
of the New England Order of Protection and several other frater-
nal organizations; also a member of the Washington Park M. E.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 337
Church of Providence. He possessed in a high degree those ster-
ling qualities which insure success — business sagacity, power of
mental concentration, a sound moral character, and unfailing
courtesy. On Dec. 9, 1910, the community was shocked to learn
that early in the morning while duck-hunting, he had been drowned
in the icy waters of Bristol harbor. Funeral services were held in
the church of his native village attended by a large circle of friends
and he was buried in the family lot beside his father, an honored
veteran of the Civil War.
BUFFINTON, JOHN ALLEN, was the son of Benjamin Buffin-
ton and Mary Mason of Swansea, Mass. He was born in Warren,
R.I., Jan. 24, 1810, and reared and educated in Swansea. He
learned the mason's trade and followed it in Providence, Fall
River, and Newport. Later in life he became a resident of Milford,
Mass., where he lived until 1857. He then removed to South Re-
hoboth, Mass. Here he carried on farming on the Bosworth
homestead, known as Stone Cottage.
He had married Ann Eliza Winsor Cousins Bosworth, born Aug.
7, 1815, in Smithfield, R.I., daughter of Peleg Bosworth 2d, and
his wife Susannah Rounds. To them were born children as follows:
John Murray who died in infancy: John Murray 2d, bom April
1, 1839; Frank, born Feb. 9, 1841; Dunbar Harris, Walter Smith
and Allen Mason.
Mrs. Buffinton was a direct descendant in the eighth generation
of Edward Bosworth, who with his wife Mary embarked for New
England on the ship ''Elizabeth and Dorcas" in 1634. He, how-
ever, died as the vessel was nearing the port. His remains were
interred in Boston.
Mr. BuflSntoH, originally a Democrat, became a Republican
with strong anti-slavery principles, retaining to the last an active
interest in public affairs.
Mr. and Mrs. Buffinton were members of the First Universalist
Church of Providence. Later they became closely identified with
the Universalist Society of Swansea, in which they were deeply
interested. Mr. Buffinton died at his residence. Stone Cottage,
Aug. 22, 1893, and Mrs. Buffinton on Dec. 19, 1902.
BUFFINTON, JOHN MURRAY, son of John Allen and Ann
Eliza Winsor Cousins (Bosworth) Buffinton, was bom April 1,
1839, in Providence, R.L He attended the public schools of Re-
hoboth, the Seekonk (Mass.) Academy, and the High School of
Milford, Mass. At eighteen he was apprenticed to Sackett, Davb
& Co. of Providence, manufacturing jewelers, and entered upon
the business in which he has continued to the present time. In
1869 Mr. Buffinton went into partnership with Col. Isaac M. Pot-
ter, with whom he remained until the death of the latter in 1902.
He then formed a corporation under the name of the Potter &
Buffinton Company (Inc.), of which he is president.
22
338 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
Mr. BufBnton represented Providence in the lower house of the
State Assembly in 1888-9. For a number of years he was a direc-
tor in the Roger Williams National Bank, until its absorption by
the Industrial Trust Company. He is a member of the romham
Club, Providence Central Club, and charter member and past
master of Adelphoi Lodge, No. 33, A. F. and A. M., also a member
of St. John's Commandery, R.I. For many years he was president
of the Society of the First .Universalist Church, and for over a
quarter of a century a member of the board of trustees.
On June 4, 1874, Mr. BufBnton married Helen Augusta, daugh-
ter of Henry and Ann (Kilvert) Carrique, and granddaughter of
Lieut. Richard and Elizabeth (Martin) Carrique. To them were
bom children as follows: Anna Carrique, John Allen, Henry
Kilvert (deceased), Henry Carrique (deceased), and Bertha Au-
gusta. Mrs. Buffinton died Oct. 25, 1911.
Mr. Buffinton retains as his summer residence the old Bosworth
homestead. Stone Cottage, in Rehoboth, and while his business
activities are centered in Providence, has never ceased to be in-
terested in the welfare of the old town.
BULLOCK, JUDGE STEPHEN, son of Samuel and Anna (Bos-
worth) Bullock, was born in 1735. His descent from Richard
Bullock, one of the earliest Rehoboth proprietors, is as follows:
Richard,^ Samuel,' Ebenezer,' Samuel,^ Stephen.* He married
Oct. 30, 1760, Mary Horton, daughter of Hezekiah Horton of
Rehoboth, and resided near Burial Place Hill. He was one of the
most prominent men of his day, a captain in the War of the Rev-
olution, a representative to the General Court in 1782-6, and in
1796 was representative to Congress; in 1797-8, a member of the
convention appointed to form the State Constitution, and also
judge of the Court of Common Pleas.
Judge Bullock was a man of sound judgment, retentive memory
and genuine piety. He had ten children, sixty-seven grandchildren,
and two hundred and four great-grandchildren. Among his de-
scendants are Darius Goff of Pawtucket, Ex-Governor John W.
Davis of Rhode Island, Albert C. Mason of Franklin, Mass., and
Hon. George N. Goff.
He died Feb. 2, 1816, aged 81 years. Mary, his wife, died Aug.
29, 1830, aged 92 years. They are buried at "Burial Place Hill.^'
BULLOCKi WILLIAM DEXTER^ civil engineer; bom in Re-
hoboth, Mass., April 17, 1850; son of William K. and Hannah G.
(Carpenter) Bullock, descendant on both sides of family, of early
settlers of Rehoboth; graduated Warren (Rhode Island) High
School, 1869; A.B. Union College, 1871. Married, 1st, Annie A.
Taft of Pawtucket, R.I., Oct. 15, 1879 (died October, 1899); 2d,
Florence S. Clapp of Providence, R.I., Feb. 26, 1902; two children:
Anna Carpenter, William Clapp. Connected with survey of Dela*^
WM.M.VM I), ltd. LOCK. Civil Kjirfin
(iov. JOHN W. DAVIS
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 339
ware, Lackawanna & Western Ry., 1871; with city engineer, Low-
ell, Mass., 1871-2; on Northern Pacific Ry. surveys in Washington,
1872; in city engineer office, Providence, since 1873; chief en-
gineer of State Harbor Improvement Commission, since June, 1911 ;
member Rhode Island House of Representatives, 1886; member
American Society (yivil Engineers, Boston Society Civil Engineers,
National (Geographic Society. Republican. Protestant. Club:
Congregational (Rhode Island). Home, 76 Kcene Street; office.
City Ilall, Providence, R.I.
CARPENTER, BENONI, M.D., son of Caleb and Hannah
(George) Carpenter and grandson of "Capt." Caleb, a Revolution-
ary soKlicr, WHS born March 12, 1805, in Rchoboth (so BHss and
**Vital Record," but see Newman's **Rehoboth in the Past," p.
89). He graduated at Brown University 1829; M.D. at Jefferson
Medical College, Philadelphia, 1832; married Adeline Everett of
Wrenthani, June 4, 1833; practiced medicine in Rehoboth, See-
konk. North Attleborough, and after 1860 in Pawtucket, where
he died Nov. 24, 1877, aged 72. He represented the town at differ-
ent times in both branches of the I>egisiature. During the Civil War
he w{is .surgeon in one of the Rhode Island regiments.
CARPENTER, DR. DARIUS, son of Daniel Carpenter, was born
in Rehoboth (Seekonk) Oct. 4, 1783; studied medicine with Dr.
George A. Bolton of Seekonk. Commenced practice there in 1816;
married Anna Carpenter of Seekonk, Nov. 9, 1817. Died of con-
sumption July 10, 1833.
CARPENTER, DRAPER, M.D., son of Daniel and brother of
Dr. Darius Carpenter, wjis born in Rehoboth, Dec. 30, 1791;
married Caroline Bassett, Sept. 11, 1837; graduated from Brown
University in 1821, and received a medical diploma from the same
institution in 1824. Commenced i)ractice in Pawtucket in 1827.
CARPENTER, ROYAL, M.D., son of Caleb and Elizabeth (Bul-
lock) Carpenter, both of Rehoboth, was born in Rehoboth, May
17, 1778; married Elvira Wheeler, June 1, 1834; graduated at
Brown University in 1805; studied medicine with Dr. Isaac Fowler
of Rehoboth, whom he succeeded in 1808, and practiced medicine
in his native town till his death, May 23, 1849. For many years
he lived in the same house Dr. Fowler had occupied, known as the
**Aldrich house,** on the corner opposite the Otis Thompson par-
sonage and about fifty rods from the **old red school-house."
Here his son, DeWitt C, was born. On his gravestone the fol-
lowing words are inscribed: "The tears and lamentings of the
afflicted, but especially of the suffering poor who never sought his
aid in vain, will be a more lasting tribute to his memory and vir-
tues than any epitaph of his friends."
340 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
CARPENTER, COL. THOMAS, also designated as Thomas
Carpenter 3d, was bom in Rehoboth Oct. 25, 1733. He was the
son of Thomas and Mary (Barstow) Carpenter. He married
Elizabeth Moulton of Rehoboth, Dec. 26, 1754. They had twelve
children, several of whom died young. He lived on the Bay State
Road, nearly opposite the town house, on the farm now owned by
George Nichols. He was prominent in town affairs, and in the
Revolutionary War commanded a regiment which included many
Rehoboth men. He was on duty at White Plains, N.Y., and for
several months was stationed on Rhode Island. He was a firm
patriot and was opposed to Shays' Rebellion. He was a man of
large size and mental capacity and highly esteemed. He became
an extensive owner of real estate, and in 1784 purchased of Abra-
ham and Eleazer Bliss, sons of Abraham (1697-1787), their prop-
erty at ''Bliss's Mill," since known as Rehoboth Village. On this
privilege, where the Blisses had operated a grist-mill and saw-mill,
four sons of Col. Carpenter in 1809 built the Village Factory. They
were James, Thomas, Stephen and Peter. Their father is said to
have given each of them a farm : to James he gave the homestead
at the mill, afterwards owned by William Marvel and his descend-
ants; to Thomas he gave the home on Carpenter Street, which
descended to his son Christopher and his granddaughter Delight
R., who married Harvey G. Reed 3d of Taunton. The property
b now owned by W. B. H. Dowse. To Stephen he gave the so-
called ''Carpenter Homestead," located on the Bay State Road,
opposite the Grange Hall, and still occupied by his descendants.
To Peter he gave his own home place, where Peter's four daughters
were bom: Caroline, who married Dea. Asaph Carpenter; Nancy,
who married Col. Cyrus M. Wheaton; Rosella, who married
James Perry; and Alice, who married Bradford Horton. Col.
Carpenter died April 26, 1807.
CARPENTER, WH^LIAM BLANDING, A3., son of Phanuel
and Lucy (Blanding) Carpenter, was born in Rehoboth (Seekonk)
Aug. 15, 1809; graduated from Brown University in 1829 with
salutatory addresses; studied medicine with Dr. Usher Parsons
of Providence; died Jan. 3, 1830. Was a student of great promise.
CHURCH, CAPTAIN BENJAMIN, was born at Duxbury,
Mass., in 1639, and died at Little Compton, R.I., Jan. 17, 1718
(new style), in the 78th year of his age. He was the son of Richard
and Elizabeth (Warren) Church. Richard was a freeman of Plym-
outh Colony, and fought in the Pcquot War in 1637, with the rank
of sergeant. Benjamin married Miss Alice Southworth and had
five sons and a daughter. He was at first a noted scout and after-
wards a brave captain in King Philip's War. He was later sent
on several expeditions against the eastern Indians, first as major
and then as colonel. In about 1702 it seems that he held the office
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 341
of lieut.-colonel in the 1st regiment of the Bristol Co. Militia,
although there is no roster of the Militia of that period in the state
archives. He died from the effects of being thrown from a horse.
The inscription on his gravestone at Little Compton is as follows:
"Here lieth interred the body
of the Honorable
Col. Benjamin Church, Esq.
who departed this life
January the 17. 1717-18
in the 78th year of his age/'
Church's "History of Philip's War" was published in 1816. It
was dictated by the aged veteran to his son Thomas, who was his
amanuensis. As he had a prominent part in the events he de-
scribes, his story, although diffusive, is vivid and realistic. He had
special qualifications as afighter of Indians, being brave, alert, and
familiar with their methods of warfare.
COLE, DANFORTH LUTHER, son of William, born in Reho-
both, Jan. 29, 1834; married June 11, 1862, Adaline M. Tallman.
Mr. Cole was by trade a carpenter and became a well-known con-
tractor and builder in the city of Providence, the business being
conducted under the name of Glover & Cole. The Conrad Build-
ing, the Atlantic Mill, and the Dimond Block were erected by this
firm. Mr. Cole was a member of Unity Lodge, I. O. of Odd Fel-
lows, and highly respected for his integrity. He retired early from
business and died Nov. 1, 1900, leaving two children, Martha A.
and Frank W., who, with their mother, removed in 1907 to the
ancestral homestead in Rehoboth.
COLE, FRANK WILLIAM, son of the former, born in Prov-
idence, R.I., April 8, 1863. He chose civil-engineering and sur-
veying for his profession and entered on his work with every pros-
pect of success, but an attractive business career opening, he
changed his plan and engaged in teaming on a large scale in the
city of Providence, R.I., doing a business of $40,000 a year, with
fifty horses at work. In 1907, after twenty years of business, he
retired to the Cole farm in Rehoboth. Here in addition to tilling
the soil he has done some excellent work in surveying and drafting.
His plot of the Village Cemetery is a fine sample of his industry
and skill.
In religion Mr. Cole is a Unitarian and was for some years a
prominent member of the Westminster Unitarian Church in
Providence. He is a member of the Nestell Lodge, A. F. and A. M.
The Cole lineage is traced as follows: FranJc William,* Dan-
forth Luther,^ William,' Aaron,* born at the Cole homestead Jan.
8, 1758; married Alse (or Elsie) Crossman of Taunton, intention
March 24, 1783; died Jan. 13, 1837. Aaron,* born March 5, 1728;
married Huldah Butterworth, March 21» 1750; built the Cole
342 HISTORY OF REHOBOTII
homestead in 1757; died April, 1799. John,^ married Meny
Perry, July 7, 1722, and settled in Rehoboth near the present
homestead. John,' born March 6, 1760; married Mary Lewis^;
died Dec. 13, 1746. John,* born in Yarmouth, July 15, 1644;
married Ruth Snow, Dec. 10, 1660; died Jan. 6, 1725. Daniel,^
born 1614; married Ruth ; removed from Yarmouth, Mass.,
to Eastham in 1643, where he held the offices of constable and
selectman; died Dec. 21, 1694.
COLE, WILLIAM, born in Rehoboth, Nov. 26, 1784, on the Cole
homestead; son of Aaron; married Jan. 25, 1824, Alee (Alice, in
Vital Record) Allen Monroe. He was a ship carpenter by trade
and worked a number of years at St. John, N.B. He was a captain
of infantry in the war of 1812. He and his wife were both promi-
nent workers in the Irons Free-Will Baptist church at Briggs
Comer in which he held the office of deacon. He died Nov. 27,
1855, aged 71. His widow, a woman of rare worth, survived him
for many years and died Jan. 22, 1880, aged 86.
DAVIS, ELISHA, son of John and Nancy (Peck) Davis, and
brother of John W., was born Nov. 27, 1831, on the Davis home-
stead in Rehoboth, where he resided until his death, April 24, 1904.
He was educated in the public schools; became a practical farmer
and a much respected citizen. He was for many years one of the
town's selectmen, and in 1870 was elected to represent his district,
Berkley, Digh ton, Rehoboth and Seekonk, in the State Legislature;
besides ,which he was justice of the peace, and was employed to
settle many estates in probate.
Mr. Davis married, July 3, 1855, Etherinda Munroe of Reho-
both, daughter of Burden and Lydia (Baker) Munroe, a woman of
rare excellence. They had issue: Elisha Thomas, born Sept. 1,
1856; Daniel Everett, born Jan. 26, 1860; died September, 1900;
Lydia B. D. (Bixby), born Oct. 1, 1864.
DAVIS, JOHN WILLIAM, son of John 3d and Nancy (Peck)
Davis, was born at the paternal homestead in South Rehoboth,
March 7, 1826. He was a descendant in the seventh generation
from James Davis who came to this country from Marlborough,
Wiltshire, England, in 1630, and settled in the Massachusetts
Bay Colony, and the family were among the early settlers in Rhode
Island and Southeastern Massachusetts.
Mr. Davis spent the first eighteen years of his life on the farm
and attended the public schools of his neighborhood. In 1844 he
left home to learn the mason's trade in Providence, devoting six
years to that occupation, working at his trade in the Southern
states and teaching school winters. In 1850 he opened a graiii
store on South Water Street in Providence, where he conducted
a successful business as a grain and flour merchant for forty years.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 343
closing his active mercantile life in 1890. His business career was
marked by vigorous energy and straightforward, honest dealing.
In politics he was a Democrat and deeply interested in the affairs
of the town, state and nation. He was appointed by President
Cleveland in 1886, appraiser of foreign merchandise for the Rhode
Island National Customs District. In 1887 he was elected Gover-
nor of Rhode Island, and again in 1890. While in office he secured
im|>ortant reforms and the establishment of the Rhode Island
College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. He represented his
adopted city, Pawtucket, in the State Senate in the years 1885,
1886 and 1890. Mr. Davis, while not a fluent speaker, was a man
of large, round-about sense. His convictions were strong and his
expression of them open and candid. He was of the common
people, and they appreciated his worth, and Rehoboth is honored
by his illustrious career. He died Jan. 25, 1907.
Mr. Davis married (1) Lydia Wilbur Kenyon of Hopkinton,
R.I., Sept. 18, 1855, who died April 28, 1859. One child, Annie
Elma, died in infancy. (2) Emily Potter Goff of Providence, R.I.,
who died July 11, 1885. Three children: Frank Ellsbree, born
July 29, 1866, died Oct. 23, 1880; Annie Elizabeth, born Oct. 22,
1868; Mary Emily, born July 18, 1870, married Erving Y. Woolley,
Oct. 12, 1897. (3) Martha P. Pierce of New York, Feb. 18, 1895,
died in Charleston, S.C, May 10, 1902.
ELLIS, HON. JAMES, was born in Rehoboth, son of the Rev.
John Ellis, pastor of the Newman Congregational Church; grad-
uated at IJrown University 1791. Commenced the practice of
law in Relioboth (now Seekonk) ; removed to Taunton and held
the office of County Attorney. Married Martha Bridgham of
Rehoboth, Oct. 14, 1794.
FOWLER, ISAAC, M.D., a prominent physician in Rehoboth
before and at the beginning of the nineteenth century, was bom
Aug. 3, 1760, probably at Northbridge (at that time Uxbridge),
as several of his brothers lived there and most of the Doctor's
medical students came from Worcester County. He married,
March 30, 1786, Vashti, daughter of Deacon John Brown of Re-
hoboth. They had twelve children. Their daughter Julia married
John B. Marvel of Dighton who communicated to the writer most
of the facts in this sketch. Among the youn^ men who studied
with him was Dr. Royal Carpenter, who lived m his family at the
time of his death and succeeded him in his practice.
Dr. Fowler was enthusiastic in his profession. When an epi-
demic of small-pox broke out in the community and no one
could be found to care for the sick, and vaccination was new and
suspected, he showed his own faith in it by vaccinating one of his
elder daughters and taking her to the hospital to care for his
patients. His medicine chest with its multitude of little drawers
344 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
was a miniature drug-shop. Dr. Fowler was an active Free Mason
and master of a lodge at the time of his death. The fraternity had
a memorial printed on white satin, of which the following b a copy:
"Sacred to the Memory
of
Dr. Isaac Fowler
Who died
March 8th, A. D. 1808
In the 49th year of his age.
He was eminent in his profession
And highly esteemed
For his humanity and benevolence."
The manner of his death was peculiar. One day Cromwell
Bliss, whose horse was young and spirited, was going to a funeral
and asked Dr. Fowler to exchange horses with him for the day,
which he did. (In those days people usually rode on horseback.)
Coming home late in the afternoon from a visit near Oak Swamp,
he overtook Mr. Bliss at the top of a hill not far from the Galen
Nichols place, and invited him to ride behind. As his feet touched
the horse's sides, he became frightened and ran down the hill.
Mr. Bliss slipped o£F and soon the Doctor was thrown, striking on
hb head and fracturing his skull. A trepanning operation was
Erformed, but without success, and he died on the third day,
tving a widow and twelve children. Mrs. Fowler was a very
amiable and capable woman and brought up her numerous family
in a most creditable manner. Dr. Fowler died March 8, 1806, in
his forty-eighth year (Aug. 3, ITGQ-March 8, 1808). Mrs. Fowler
died April 18, 1832, in her sixty-sixth year.
FOWLER9 SAMUEL METCALF9 son of Dr. Isaac and Vashti
(Brown) Fowler, was born in Rehoboth, Sept. 13, 1805, one of
twelve children. His education was limited. He learned the
printer's trade in Providence and early evinced special talent for
newspaper work, putting his thoughts directly into type. Bliss,
who compares his style to that of Junius, says of him: **Hb fancy
was sprightly and fertile, his thoughts luminous, and his language
forcible and appropriate." Although his sarcasm was often keen
and bitter, he had many friends who recognized his brilliant gifts.
He was for several years editor and proprietor of the Pateitickel
Chronicle^ *'which he conducted with ^at ability and spirit."
He died of consumption, Aug. 26, 1832, m his twenty-eighth year.
FROST9 WALTER BLISS9 now of Providence, but formerly of
Rehoboth, is a direct descendant of two old colonial families.
Elder Edmund Frost settled in Cambridge in 1635. Thomas Bliss
settled in Weymouth, Mass., in 1636, and became one of the
founders of Rehoboth in 1643. Walter Bliss Frost is doubly
descended from this Bliss pioneer, his grandfather, George Bliss,
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 346
son of Dr. James Bliss, having married Lois, the daughter of Dea-
con Asahel Bliss. Mr. Frost's mother, Lois Maria Bliss, as a
school teacher in Rhode Island, met and married William Frede-
rick Frost, son of William R. Frost, a prominent manufacturing
jeweler of Pawtucket.
Walter Bliss Frost was the youngest of four children. He was
bom in Providence, Aug. 24, 1852. His parents died during his
infancy, and he was reared to manhood on the farm of his grand-
father, George Bliss, in Rehoboth. At the age of twenty-two he
entered school at the East Greenwich, R.I., Academy. He pre-
pared for college in two years, and passed the entrance examma-
tions for Brown University in the class of 1880. That summer he
engaged as a reporter with the Providence Evening Press^ and being
twenty-four years old he concluded not to go to college. He re-
mained with the Providence Press Co. for nine years, serving in
all positions from reporter to night editor, and managing editor of
the Sunday edition.
In October, 1885, he engaged as editor of The Manufacturing
Jeweler^ a trade paper published in Providence for the jewelry
trade, and has continued in that position until now (1918). In
1893 he became proprietor of the paper, which is an important
weekly publication of national and mternational scope.
He has been connected as a member and officer with many trade
clubs and associations, including the Rhode Island Press Club,
the New England Trade Press Association, the National fkiitorial
Association, and others. He has been on the Providence School
Committee continuously since 1905, and is chairman of the com-
mittee on high schools and a member of the executive committee.
When a boy he joined Annawan Lodge of Good Templars,
which met at the Village Church in Rehoboth. Later in life he
rejoined the order in Providence, and soon rose to the head of the
Rhode Island Grand Lodge. In 1902 he was one of the American
delegates to the international convention of the order in Sweden.
On that same visit he witnessed the coronation procession in Lon-
don on the occasion of the crowning of King Edward VII.
Mr. Frost has been an extensive traveler in this country, as
well as in Canada and Mexico. He has owned several racing
yachts, and is a member and ex-president of the Washington Park
Yacht Club. He owns the fast "Medric II** which has won scores
of cups and prizes. He is also a member of the Turk's Head Club,
the Economic Club, and the Town Criers.
On August 13, 1876, Mr. Frost married Alice A. Barber of
WindsorviUe, Conn., and they have two sons, Walter Louis Frost»
a lawyer in Providence, and Harry Barber Frost, who is associated
with his father in business.
Walter B. Frost's elder brother, Henry Frederick, enlisted in a
New York regiment in 1861, at the age of sixteen, died in Virginia
346 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
on Feb. 29, 1864, and is buried in the Village Cemetery at Re-
hoboth.
GARDNER, JOHNSON, M.D., son of James and Susannah
Gardner, was born in Ilehol>oth, Nov. 22, 1799. Ilia course at
Brown University was shortened by ill health. He studied med-
icine with Dr. Lewis Wheaton of Providence and received the
degree of M.D. at Brown University in 1826; commenced practice
in Pawtucket in the same year; married, June 8, 1829, Phebe Law-
ton Sisson, only child of Aaron Sisson of Seekonk.
GOFF, CHARLES BRADFORD, was a direct descendant from
Robert Go£F who came from England and settled in Dighton,
Mass., early in the eighteenth century. The line of descent is:
Robert,^ Enoch,* born in 1740, became a preacher and died
March 10, 1810, aged 80 years; Shubael,' 1761-1833; Shubael,^
born March 4, 1783; known as ''Captain Shubael"; married
Sally Briggs Go£F of Rehoboth and lived many years on the ''min-
isterial place," where they brought up fifteen children, thirteen
of whom lived to maturity. He died Oct. 14, 1854, and his wife
''Aunt Sally" died Nov. 4, 1855. Shubael* was bom in Rehoboth,
Aug. 31, 1808; married Elizabeth Martin Ripley in 1833; moved
to Fall River in 1836. Charles Bradford,* the subject of our
sketch and son of Shubael,* was born March 4, 1834, in Rehoboth.
He graduated from Brown University in 1856, the valedictorian
of his class. He married, Aug. 26, 1857, Almira J. Bean, in Prov-
idence, R.I. Five children were born to them, of whom two with
their mother survive: Robert Remington, a teacher in the Fall
River High School where his father taught, and Mrs. Jennie Mar-
tin, wife of Frederick R. Martin of Providence. Mr. Goff (of
Phi Beta Kappa rank) received from his alma mater the degree
of Ph.D. He was a trustee of Brown for ten years before his death.
For thirty-five years he was principal of the classical department
in the "English and Classical School" in Providence, where more
than two thousand pupils came under his influence. He was
joined by William A. Mory in 1864, and the school came to be
popularly known as "The Mory and Goff School." Mr. Mory says
of his colleague: "His teaching was always thorough and correct
and his discipline easy and efficient."
Mr. Goff died Dec. 1, 1898. No better epitaph could lye written
for him than this: "Charles Bradford Goff, Teacher."
»
GOFFi DARIUS, a pioneer in the establishment of new and im-
Ertant manufacturing industries in this country, was born in
^oboth. May 10, 1809. He was the son of Lieut. Richard and
Mehitabel (Bullock) Goff. His father was a manufacturer and in
1790 built a fulling and cloth-dressing mill on the east branch of
Palmer's River, furnishing it with the best of machinery. His
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 347
mother was a daughter of Hon. Stephen Bullock. His grand-
father was Joseph Goff, and his great-grandfather, Richard, who
came from Barrington. The children of Lieut. Richard and
Mehitabcl Goff were: Richard, Otis, Horatio, Patience, Nelson,
Darius and Mary B.
Darius Goff was educated at home and in the common schools.
In 1809 the Union Manufacturing Company had been formed at
Rehoboth Village, in which the elder Goff was a partner whose
task was to color the yarns to be made into cloth. At an early
age Darius entered his father's factory and assisted him in the
coloring department until 1826, when he served six years as clerk
in the grocery business at Fall River and Providence. Returning
to Rehoboth in 1835-6, he and his brother Nelson bought the Union
Cotton Mill for $4,000, and began to manufacture cotton batting.
Here they invented the apron process by which wadding could be
made in an endless sheet or roll. Mr. Goff also became mterested
in the cotton waste business, purchasing the waste of the Lonsdale
Cotton Company and continuing the contract for many years.
In 1840 lie formed a partncrshij) witli George I^awton of Waltham
and commenced dealing in waste paper stock on Gray's wharf in
Boston. About this time Mr. Goff moved to Pawtucket. In 1847
he erected a large wadding-mill near the railroad station and made
wadding in connection with the paper stock business in Boston.
In 1859 Goff & Lawton dissolved, the latter taking the Boston
business. Mr. Goff then united with Cranston & Brownell of
Providence, and carried on a general business in paper stock and
wadding. In 1870 the Union Wadding Company was formed
and its output increased enormously. The plant covers many
acres, and the capital stock is said to be two and one-half million
dollars, the largest wadding plant in the world, with Lyman B.
Goff, treasurer.^
In 1861 Mr. Goff with his associates commenced the manufac-
ture of worsted braids, then a new industry in this country. After
a iiard struggle with adverse conditions, the business, through pro-
tective legislation, became an immense and flourishing branch of
industry, and finally, under the name of D. Goff & Sons, attained
world-wide fame, verifying the familiar ad. of early days:
"Goff's Braid
Is the Best Made."
Another striking achievement of Mr. Goff was the founding of
the mohair plush mdustry in this country. Up to 1882 no plush
goods such as are used in upholstering car-seats, etc., were made
in America. Mr. Goff determined to undertake their manufacture,
and sent a skilled mechanic to France and Germany to learn what
he could about the business, and to buy needed machinery. But
'In 1917 the Company was AAAessed on its reni estate, $498,420; personal*
$400,000.
348 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
the agent could do nothing, as the work in the factories was car-
ried on with the utmost secrecy. Mr. Goff being thus thrown back
upon his own inventive resources, pushed forward a series of ex-
periments behind closed doors for five years, when behold! he had
a loom which would produce a plush fabric as fine as any in the
world. In the end this industry proved not only profitable but
added to the prestige of American manufactures.
Another textile industry instituted by Mr. Goff in connection
with Mr. Joseph Ott was the Royal Weaving Company, whose
factory is in Central Falls. This company produces cloth for coat-
linings of fine, imported yarn.
Mr. Goff was not only a wise and progressive manufacturer but
an honoured citizen. He was a director of several banks and com-
panies and in 1871 was elected State Senator. He was a promi-
nent member of the Congregational Church and gave largely for
its support. When in 1884 Mr. Goff was asked by some friends
in Rehoboth to aid them in erecting a building for an antic^uarian
room, library, school, and hall, he responded liberally, giving for
that purpose the Goff homestead lot where he was born and aiding
the enterprise to the extent of $10,000, which more than dupli-
cated the amount given by the people of the town, and so the first
Goff Memorial was built, and on Mr. Goff's seventy-seventh
birthday. May 10, 1886, was dedicated.
Mr. Goff, having retained the use of his strong faculties in a
remarkable degree to the last, died at his home in Pawtucket,
April 14, 1891, closing a career of great usefulness and honor.
The National Association of Wool Manufacturers, of which he
was a member, paid earnest tribute to him for his ^'pre-eminent
services in the diversification and extension of the wool manufac-
ture, to his high character as a man, his large public spirit, his
conscientious discharge of every obligation to society, and the
earnest devotion to principle by which his life and actions were
governed."
Mr. Goff was twice married, (1) to Sarah Lee, a daughter of
Israel Lee of Dighton, and (2) to Harriet Lee, her sister, by whom
he had three children, — Darius L., Lyman B., and Sarah C,
who married Thomas Sedgwick Steele of Hartford, Conn.
GOFF, ELLERT L., town clerk, son of George L. of Rehoboth
and Harriet N. Reed of Taunton, was born in Taunton, April 17,
1858, his parents soon after moving to Rehoboth, where he was
brought up. For his occupation, Mr. Goff has combined insurance
with work on the farm. He served in the Massachusetts Legis-
lature in 1910-11; was chosen secretary of the Rehoboth Anti-
quarian Society, March 12, 1902; was appointed town clerk,
April 22, 1893, in which office he has served till the present time.
He married Miss Mary E. Tyrell, Feb. 25, 1886. They have one
daughter, Elsie, born July 12, 18i38, who married Enoch A. Car-
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 349
penter, Feb. 2, 1909. Of these a son, Ellery Winsor Carpenter,
was born March 29, 1910.
GOFF, GEORGE HIRAM, was the son of Cromwell and Ruth
(Goff) GofT, and grandson of Abel Goff. He was born on the home
place, Perryville Road, Sept. 27, 1830; married April 2, 1854,
Hannah (Cook) Lilley of Providence, R.I. She was born Dec. 6,
1834, and died Dec. 6, 1905. He spent his life in Rehoboth with
the exception of three years in Mansfield, Mass., and two years
in Davenport, Iowa. He was a prosperous farmer, constantly im-
proving his land and premises. He gave generously to the needy,
but without ostentation. He had three children:
Arthur Cromwell, born in Rehoboth, Sept. 8, 1859; married Carrie
F. Goff, Aug. 13, 1882. Two children: Lizzie May and Har-
old Arthur.
George Dwyer, born in Davenport, Iowa, Jan. 28, 1864; married
(1) Lizzie M. Thompson, Nov. 18, 1886, who died April 24,
1894; (2) Julia A. French of Pawtucket. Three children:
Marion French, George Dana, and Doris R. died July 4, 1906.
Lizzie Mason, born April 17, 1874, and died Sept. 7, 1877.
Mr. Goff died Nov. 30, 1900.
GOFF, HON. GEORGE NELSON, a descendant from Thomas
Goff, the first Deputy-Governor of Massachusetts, sworn into
office with Governor Craddock, March 23, 1628. The first GoflF
to be made a freeman by the General Court was one John, May
18, 1631. But the first Golf mentioned in the Vital Record of
Rehoboth was Richard, who married Martha Toogood, both of
Swansea,^ Mass., July 19, 1722. Their son Joseph, born Dec. 12,
1725, married Patience Thurber, October, 1748. They resided
on the Thurber farm, now known as the Goff homestead, a well-
known hostelry in Revolutionary days, where the Goff Memorial
now stands. They lived together seventy years and had fourteen
children, one of whom, Richard, was born in 1749, and married
Mehitabcl Bullock, daughter of Stephen Bullock, Esq., June 11,
1795. They had seven children. One of these. Nelson, was born
May 5, 1804; married Alice Lake, April 20, 1837. Their only son,
George Nelson, was born in 1837; married Julia Bishop Horton,
June 2. 1858. She died March 30, 1914. They had two children:
Albert C, born Dec. 6, 1858, and Alice Augusta, born Oct. 19,
1866; died Dec. 9, 1913. Albert C. married (1) Anna E. Carpen-
ter, Dec. 22, 1886, and (2) Lizzie M. Carpenter, May 1, 1890.
They have four children: Clinton Nelson, bom Feb. 10, 1893;
Annie Carpenter, born June 25, 1895; Eleanor Elizabeth, bom
Oct. 7, 1901; Roval Bishop, born June 23, 1907. Three genera-
tions of this family have been prominent in manufactures at Re-
hoboth Village (see sketch of Darius Goff). George Nelson has
^ Barriogton in Vital Record.
350 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
always resided on the paternal homestead and has carried on the
farm in connection witli his son. He was an officer in the Con-
gregational Society for more than forty years, and is president of
the Rehoboth Antiquarian Society and member of the Old Colony
Historical Society. He has a predilection for politics; has held
various town offices and represented the tenth Bristol district in
the legislature in 1885, and was state senator in 1903-4. He is
a staunch Republican, and his influence in determining the can-
didates for town, state and even national honors has been potent.
For many years he has l>een the center of a group of high officials,
meeting at his home or at the annual clam-bake, to plan the party
campaigns, causing his name to be well-known throughout Bristol
County and even beyond its limits. In 1858 he was agent for
the first horse pitch-fork in New England, invented by Charles E.
Gladding of Pennsylvania.
GOFF, HAROLD ARTHUR, is the son of Arthur C. and Carrie
F. Goff, and grandson of George Hiram and Hannah C. Goff. He
was born in Rehoboth, Jan. 18, 1887. He attended the public
schools of the town and graduated at the Bryant and Stratton
Business College in June, 1904. He married, June 11, 1913, Annie
Rothermel of Berkley, Mass. He resides on the home farm, which
he carries on in connection with his father. They built their new
and commodious house in 1904. Mr. Go(T is a meml>er of the Ris-
ing Sun Lodge, No. 30, A. F. and A.M., of East Providence, R.I.,
also a past master of Annawan Grange of Rehoboth, and was
appointed a deputy of the Massachusetts State Grange, June I,
1914.
GOFF, ISAAC C, D.D., was the son of James, of Nathan, of
Constant, etc. "I was born," he writes, **in a house nearly central
I should say in the township, about one mile from Rehoboth Vil-
lage and on the east side of the turnpike leading from Providence to
Taunton, on the 28th of Octol)er, 1808, and resided in the same
house until September, 1820, when the family' removed to Genesee
County in New York. Although I was but twelve years old at the
time of the removal, I had worked out two summers, and at the
same place. I worked for Elijah Bliss, my father's nearest neigh-
lM)r, for $4.00 per month the first, and $5.00 for the second year.
It was a good place, plenty of hard work, good fare, and kind
treatment. I rememl)er the following families then living in the
town, and as ranging in numerical importance about like this:
Carpenters, Blisses, Goff s, Cases, Pecks, Bowens, Keltons, Hortons^
Lewises, Wheelers, Perrys, Davises and Bosworths. With at
least eight of these families, the Goff family was connected by
intermarriage. There was neither father nor husband in any of
these families who was a dnmkard, profane, or a Snbbath breaker.**
When Mr. Goff was sixteiMi years old he made a profession of
IIAUUUI MlTllUll IIOKF
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 351
faith in Christ, and believing that he was called of God to preach
the Gospel, he soon began to prepare for his great life-work in
which he continued until he had reached the ripe age of seventy-
eight. He had a singularly pious ancestry. Not only his father*
James Goff, but his grandfather, Nathan, was a devout man. He
was ordained at Royalton, N.Y., in September, 1827. For a
time he labored as an evangelist, and after pastorates in New York
and Illinois, he was for twenty-nine years pastor of the Christian
Church at Irving, N.J. He was an able preacher, and a man of
strong and symmetrical character. He was at one time president
of the Biblical Institute at Stanfordville, N.Y., and a permanent
member of its executive committee. He died in December, 1886,
in his seventy-ninth year.
Deprived of the advantages of a liberal education in youth,
he nevertheless read and assimilated vast stores of knowledge.
His children were Frederick, Lizzie, James, Oliver, Mary and
Helen. A fine crayon portrait of him was presented to the Reho-
botli Antiquarian Society by his daughters, which now hangs in
the Blanding Library.
GpFF, ISAAC LEWIS, financier, son of David Fish Goff and
Clarissa Dean (Stacy) Goff, was born in Taunton, Mass., Aug.
29, 1852. He spent his early life on his father's farm in Rehoboth,
in the Long Hill neighborhood, where he received a common
school education. At the age of sixteen he took the course in the
Bryant and Stratton Business College in Providence. After holding
several positions, he entered the real estate office of Wm. D. Pierce
in that city where he remained about four years. He then estab-
lished a real estate and insurance business of his own. He began the
vast enterprise of building up Washington Park in 1891, and saw it
grow from a single house to more than seven hundred houses in a
decade. In politics Mr. Goff has been a prominent Republican, a
delegate to the National Convention 1892, and carried the elec-
toral vote of Rhode Island to Washington in 1896. He is a thirty-
third degree Mason, and a member of the Grand Lodge I. O. O. F.,
also a member of the Elks, Knights of Pythias, Sons of the Ameri-
can Revolution, and of several clubs. Mr. Goff is an enthusiastic
admirer of good horses, and has owned some of the fastest racers,
including ''Bright | Regent" (2:6J). Personally, Colonel Goff
is a gentleman of courteous manners toward all. He is calm in
emergencies, and his easy, natural manner makes him friends
wherever he is known.
On Oct. 21, 1875, he married Ada Jannette Richards of Prov-
idence. The four children of this marriage are: William David Goff,
Josephine Anna Goff, Lillian Lewis Goff, and Isaac Lewis Goff, Jr.
RASKINS, CHARLES E., was born in Providence, R.I., April
14, 1833. His father was William Emerson Haskins, a relative of
352 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
Ralph Waldo Emerson of Concord. His mother was Fannie
Maria (Hodges) Haskins.
Charles was educated in the public schools of his native city
and was engaged for several years in the manufacture of jewleiy
in Providence. Removing to Rehoboth, he owned and operated
the Joshua Miller farm on Providence Street. He was a successful
farmer and market gardener, in which business he continued for
more than forty years. He was an active member of the Con-
gregational Church at Rehoboth Village, and for some years was
superintendent of its Sunday-school. He was also active in its
District Branch at the Orleans Chapel. In town affairs he rendered
faithful service in the supervision of schools and highways and did
service as jui^man. His integrity of purpose, generous hospital-
ity, and his kmd and genial spirit, won for him the sincere respect
of the community.
In 1858 he was married to Anna Frances Whitman of Providence,
who died May 15, 1890, aged 55 years. In 1893 he married Anna
E. Brenaman of Columbia, Pa., who survives him.
Mr. Haskins died in Rehoboth, June 7, 1909, in his 77th year.
HORTON, CONSTANT SIMMONS, son of George H. and
Arabella Horton of Rehoboth, was born on Annawan Street in
Rehoboth, Jan. 7, 1848. He inherited a strong constitution which
was invigorated by his life on the farm, and he was there uncon-
sciously preparing for his special calling of police service in a large
city. He received his education at the Annawan School and early
learned the trade of a carpenter, at which he worked for several
years. In 1877, at the age of 29, he was appointed on the police
force of Providence, R.I., and assigned to the old Gaspee Street
beat, the toughest in the city. His magnificent physique and great
strength stood him in good stead. His unflinching courage, com-
bined with good judgment and a gentle spirit, soon gained for
him the respect and good-will of all classes. He handled success-
fully some hard cases, and on March 19, 1886, he was made ser-
geant; on Oct. 3, 1899, lieutenant; on Jan. 19, 1900, captain; on
March 3, 1907, chief inspector, and on Nov. 16, 1911, he became
deputy superintendent, which office he held at the time of his
death, April 13, 1914.
He was married. May 9, 1875, to Calista Willard Viall of East
Providence, R.I., who survives him. Their son, Chester Shorey
Horton, a young man of fine promise, has since died.
Chief Horton was a man of varied talents. He was a lover of
horses and for years bought all the horses for the depart-
ment. He was a member of the Men's Club connected with the
Union Baptist Church of Cranston, R.I. A fine trait of his char-
acter was his kindness to the poor. Yet his giving, like all his
other acts, was without ostentation.
Acting Mayor Vaughn paid him the following well deserved com-
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 353
pliment: **I always knew him as a perfect gentleman and one of
the best executives of the police department." His minister. Rev.
Hugh Carpenter, said of him: "He was first of all a man, every
inch a man. He was a proportionate man, a man in every re-
lationship."
HORTON, DANFORTH G., son of Sylvanus and Hannah
(Slade) Horton, was born in Rehoboth, March 21, 1813. He was
an industrious and successful farmer, buying when a young man
the farm at the corner of the Perry ville and Carpenter roads, — a
poor, sterile place, and after half a century leaving it one of the
most fertile and highly cultivated farms in town. Mr. Horton
was a good citizen, highly respected for his sterling qualities of
mind and heart, and a prominent member of the Annawan Baptist
Church. He had four children, but survived them all. He died
Nov. 11, 1890, aged seventy -seven years.
HORTON, FRANK HATHAWAY, son of George Henry and
Charlotte A. (Goff) Horton, was born in Rehoboth, July 15, 1874.
His grandparents were George L. and Patience Bullock (Gofif) Hor-
ton, only daughter of Richard Goff, who was born in the **01d GofF
Inn." His maternal grandparents were 2^nas Hathaway GofF and
Cynthia Sophia Bliss, lineal descendant of Jonathan Bliss, one of
the founders of Rehoboth. Mr. Horton was married to E. Amelia
Viall of Rehoboth, Jan. 14, 1897. They have one son, Ralph H.
Mr. Horton was assistant postmaster from January, 1897, to
January, 1902, and postmaster from 1902 to 1910. He runs a
dairy farm with a herd of thirty partially registered Holstein
cows; has been manager of a general grocery store for the past
nineteen years. He is one of the selectmen and overseers of the
poor, and has been one of the assessors since 1912.
HORTON, REV. GEORGE HIRAM, was born in Rehoboth,
Jan. 29, 1862, the son of Gilbert M. and Sarah F. (Pierce) Horton.
He attended the public schools of the town, working for his father
on the farm at the same time. Having decided to enter the Gospel
ministry, he applied himself to the study of theology under his
grandfather. Rev. Waterman Pierce. He was ordained to the
Christian ministry June 7, 1883. Soon after this the First Free
Baptist Church in South Rehoboth was organized as the result
of his ministry in that place, and a chapel was erected at a cost
of about $1,400.00, Mr. Gilbert Horton, his father, being the lead-
ing spirit in the movement. He served as pastor of this church
ten years, and also served, in conjunction with his work here, as
associate pastor of the Barney ville Free Baptist Church five years,
resigning to accept a call from the Hornbine Six Principle Baptist
Church in Southeast Rehoboth. He remained with this church
five years, during which period the church voted to become a Free
Baptist Church and affiliated itself with the Rhode Island As-
2.1
364 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
sociation of Free Baptist Churches. He was then called to the
Free Baptist Church, North Scituate, R.I., remaining three years
with many accessions. He next became pastor of the Free Baptist
Church in Blackstone, Mass., and enjoyed a very pleasant and
prosperous pastorate of twleve years and six months. He re-
signed this charge much to the regret of the people to accept a call
from the Bethany Free Baptist Church of Pawtucket, R.I.» and
is now on his sixth year in this delightful pastorate. He has filled
important positions in his denomination, serving as president in
1913 and 1914 of the Roger Williams State Association, and also
has served on important committees. While a resident of Seekonk,
Mass., he served a number of years on the school board.
He married, March, 1885, Carrie £. Sisson of Seekonk, Mass.,
daughter of Shubael B. and Hannah B. Sisson of that town. Two
sons blessed the union : Oscar Everett and Irving Elmer. Irving
E. died in 1912. Oscar E. Horton, the eldest son, is engaged in
business in Boston, Mass.
Mr. Horton has baptized 175 candidates, officiated at 296 fune-
rals, and at 145 marriages.
HORTON, HENRY TAMERLINE, son of Tamerline Wheeler
and Amanda (Walker) Horton, was bom Dec. 11, 1845, in the
house he now occupies, where his grandmother, Rebecca (Wheeler)
Horton was born m 1780. He received his education in the dis-
trict schools of the town. He owns the farm of about one hun-
dred and thirty acres, one-half mile from Rehoboth Village, which
has been in the family more than one hundred and fifty years,
and but one deed has been given of the property during this time.
He married Belle H. Bryant, daughter of William H. and Hannah
Horton Bryant, Feb. 5, 1890. They have one daughter, Fannie
Belle Horton, born Dec. 30, 1890, a graduate of Wheaton College
in 1911, and subsequently a teacher. Mr. Horton is a Republican
in politics, having represented the First Bristol District in the State
Legislature in 1899, served on the committee of towns, March 7»
1877, served as chairman of the board of selectmen, assessors and
overseers of the poor for twenty-two years, and retired at his own
request and has since served as auditor. He is now moderator at
the annual election. Mr. Horton is a charter member and past
master of Annawan Grange, P. of H.; a member of Pioneer Lodge
A. F. and A. M. of Somerset, Mass., vice-president and treasurer
of the Rehoboth Antiquarian Society, member of the Rehoboth
Congregational Church, trustee of Church and Society, and b
eligible to the Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.
His great-grandfathers, Solomon Horton and William Walker,
served in Capt. Elijah Walker's Company, Col. Pope's Bristol
County Regiment, on the alarm at Rhode Island, Dec. 8, 1776.
His Wheeler line of descent is as follows: John Wheeler,^ said
to have been born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England* sailed to
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 365
America, March 24» 1633<-34 in the ship **Maiy and John'* to
Agawam (now Ipswich), Mass. The following year he moved to
Salisbury and after 1641 was one of the original proj^rietors. held
property and paid taxes as late as 1652. He died in Newbury.
Aug. 28, 1670, aged fifty-two. Henry Wheeler,* son, bom, Jan. 4,
1639-40; James Wheeler,' born May 27, 1667; James Wheeler/
born at Rehoboth, March 27, 1697; Jeremiah Wheeler,* born
March 23, 1731; Jeremiah Wheeler,* bom Sept. 28, 1753; Re-
beckah Wheeler,^ born Feb. 28, 1781; Tamerline Wheeler Horton,*
born Sept. 17, 1805; Henry Tamerline Horton,* bora Dec. 11,
1845; Fannie Belle Horton,»* bom Dec. 30, 1890.
His Horton Genealogy is traced thus: Thomas Horton,^ bom
1620; Thomas Horton,' bom Jan. 9, 1655; Solomon Horton,'
bom Jan. 1, 1682; Solomon Horton,* bom 1712-15; Solomon
Horton,* born Jan. 15, 1742, Revolutionary soldier; Solomon Hor-
ton,* born 1761; died 1833; Tamerline Horton,* bom Sept. 17,
1805; Henry T. Horton,* bora Dec. 11, 1845.
His Walker line is as follows: Widow Walker,* one of the
original proprietors of Rehoboth; James Walker,' born 1619;
James Walker,* born 1645; Nathan Walker,* bora 1677; William
Walker,* born Aug. 7, 1715; William Walker,* bora Dec. 14, 1743;
William Walker,* born March 24, 1770; Amanda Walker,* mar-
ried Tamerline Horton; Henry T. Horton*; Fannie Belle Horton*^
His Mayflower descent is as follows: Thomas Rogers,* came in
the Mayflower and died in the general sickness in Dec, 1620;
John Rogers,' born in England; Abagail Rogers,* bora 1641, mar-
ried John Richmond; Abagail Richmond,* bora Feb. 26, 1678,
married Nathan Walker, born 1677; William Walker,* born Aug. 7,
1715; William Walker,* bora Dec. 14, 1743, Revolutionary soldier;
William Walker,' bora March 24, 1770; Amanda Walker,* mar-
ried Tamerline Horton; Henry T. Horton*; Fannie Belle Horton*®.
HORTON, HORACE B., PhJ>., bora in Rehoboth, Aug. 16,
1864, the son of Horace Le Baron Horton and Emeline Baker.
Descended from Thomas Horton who lived in Rehoboth and
Swanzy in the seventeenth century.*
Married to Alice R. Brigham of Shrewsbury, Mass., a descendant
of the Fairbanks and Knowlton families. Three children: James
E., Margaret W. and Horace, Jr.
Mr. Horton had the unusual experience as a boy of living with
grandparents who, born in the eighteenth century, retained all the
customs, prejudices and animosities of an earlier generation. In
the home and in the fields of the farm the conversations were of
familv deeds: men who fought Philip, participated in the expedi-
tion for the reduction of Canada, sailed the seas and later fought
the detested British; of those other men also who from the pulpit
> Collateral: Wheaton. Fierce, Baker, Maaon
356 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
fought Boston and Plymouth for religious freedom. Out of these,
ear^ years came deep love for and pride in the old town.
Mr. Horton was educated in Harvard College and the famous:
German University at Gbttingen. He is a member of a number of
learned societies in Europe and this country. Has been professor
in two Universities. Has taken an active part with a small group
of men in Europe in the agricultural awakening in the countiy.
His home is in Chicago, 111. Now Agricultural Commissioner of
the American Steel and Wire Co., Chicago.
HORTON, JEREMIAH W., son of Tamerline Wheeler Horton,
who was bom in Dighton, Sept. 17, 1805, and died in Rehoboth,
June 6, 1889. His mother was Amanda Walker of Di^hton, bom
July 28, 1805, and died Oct. 2, 1865. They were married July 26,
1835. Jeremiah's grandfather was Solomon Horton of Dighton,
who married Rebecca Wheeler of Rehoboth, May 23, 1802. Jere-
miah was born in Rehoboth, April 8, 1844, one of six children.
He obtained his education in the schools of Rehoboth, including
several terms at the Bicknell High School. When a young man
he became a citizen of Newport, R.I., and soon established him-
self in a successful mercantile business. His adopted city honored
him by an election to its mayoralty in 1893. Mr. Horton has been
colonel of the Newport Artillery and also representative to the
General Assembly from that city. He was Police Commissioner
in 1906. A man of Bne qualities and a public-spirited citizen, his
"character and attainments reflect honor upon his family and
native town."
HORTON, NATHANIEL B., son of Aaron and Bethany (Baker)
Horton of Dighton, was bom in Rehoboth, July 25, 1820. With
but a meager education, he learned the mason's trade, at which
he worked for twenty years. Trained to industry and economy,
and gifted with large business ability, he acquired a handsome
Eroperty, and by his upright dealings won universal respect,
during the Civil War he was agent tor the town in filling its
quota for military service. He owned a large farm of 250 acres
which he and his two sons brought into a high state of cultivation.
Mr. Horton represented his town in the General Court in 1862-3;
was town treasurer and tax collector for several years, and was a
large mill owner and director. He settled many estates and was
a local banker for loaning money.
Mr. Horton married, Jan. 11, 1844, Mary M. Eddy of Swansea.
They had four children. The two sons, Adin B. and Arthur E.»
both thrifty farmers, carry on the ancestral farm together. Mr.
Horton died Jan. 4, 1900, in his 80th year.
HORTON, WELCOME F., youngest of the five sons of Gilbert
M. and Sarah P. (Pierce) Horton, was born in Rehoboth, May 20,
1865. His father, Gilbert M., was born in Rehoboth in 1827, son
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 367
of Arial B. and Freelove (Pierce) Horton. His mother, Sarah F.
Fierce, was born in Rehoboth in 1826, daughter of Rev. Water-
man and Betsey (Baker) Pierce. His father, Gilbert M., carried
on the wholesale meat business and farming together for most of
his life, going to the Brighton cattle market almost weekly for
many years.
Welcome F., subject of this sketch, attended the public schools
of his native town until, at the age of seventeen, he began the re-
tail meat business which he carried on successfully for nineteen
years, when he sold out and took a much needed vacation. He
then accepted a government position which he still retains. When
Mr. Horton became of age, he felt a keen interest in the political
affairs of his town. At the age of twenty-nine he was elected a
member of the boards of selectmen and assessors and overseers
of the poor, which offices he filled successfully for eleven years,
when, having taken a government position, he was obliged to de-
cline further service in town affairs. As a town official Mr. Horton
worked to secure various improvements, — a state highway, an
electric street railway, and the free delivery of mail. He had the
pleasure of riding on the first electric car from Taunton through
Rehoboth to the state line. In 1902 he was a candidate for the
Massachusetts Legislature, but was defeated by a small margin.
Mr. Horton is a member of Annawan Grange, Rehoboth, and
Pioneer Lodge of A. F. and A. M., Somerset, Mass.
He married April 7, 1887, Henrietta E. Barney, daughter of
Henry W. and Eliza A. Barney, a teacher in the public schools of
Rehoboth and Swansea.
HUNT, PETER BROWN, ESQ., was born in Rehoboth (now
Seekonk) Feb. 1, 1794; graduated at Brown University in 1816;
was admitted to the Massachusetts and Rhode Island bars; com-
menced practice in Seekonk in 1819, and died April 28, 1831.
He was the son* of Peter* and Sarah (Ide), of John* and Rachel
(Carpenter), of John' and Susannah (Sweeting), of Ephraim' and
Rebecca , of Peter* and Elizabeth (Smith).
KING, WILLIAM A., was descended from the Kings of Rayn-
ham, a family distinguished for its honesty and piety. His great-
grandfather, Robert King, purchased a farm in Rehoboth, which
remained in possession of the family for several generations,
though in some instances the family moved out of town for a time
and afterward returned. The son of Robert was Robert King,
Jr., grandfather of William. He was born Aug. 17, 1750, and mar-
ried March 8, 1779, Freelove Harvey, who was born Sept. 17, 1750.
They both died at Rehoboth of a kind of typhus fever called the
"cold plague" which prevailed and was very fatal in the vicinity
during the cold summer of 1816. In Attleborough one hundred
inhabitants died within the space of ninety days.
358 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
Rev. Otis Thompson, in a note appended to his sermon preached
at the funeral of Mrs. Freelove King, pays the following tribute
to Mr. King: *'Mr. King was not long left to lament the loss of
his virtuous and estimable consort. In less than two months he
followed her to the house of rest and glory. He died of the typhus
fever, June 13, 1816» in the sixty-seventh year of his age. Mr. King
was universally esteemed as a man of piety and worth. In the year
1800 he united with the Church of Christ, and ever after adorned
his profession by a circumspect and exemplary conversation."
They had seven children, of whom the youngest was Elisha A.,
the father of the subject of this sketch. He was bom Dec. 6, 1795.
He married, in 1820, Mary A. C. Short of Rehoboth. After living
for some years in Taunton, they returned to Rehoboth in 1835.
Mr. King was deacon of the Congregational Church in the Village.
In 1847 he moved to Providence, R.I. He had four children, one of
whom, Mary A., married Philip C. Gray of Little Compton.
William A., the eldest son, was bom in Rehoboth in 1822. He
married Mary (Luther) Peck of Rehoboth, and resided there many
years, moving to Attleborough in 1885.
Mr. King was a member of the school board of Rehoboth for
about fourteen years, and represented the fifth Bristol District in
the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1868. He was a
man of sound judgment, upright character, and genial disposition.
He was greatly interested in the welfare of his native town, par-
ticularly in the schools. He died in Attleborough, July 11, 1891.
He had four children as follows:
Benjamin Peck, born in Warren, R.I., Dec. 16, 1847, now a resi-
dent of Attleborough, a tool-maker, has been a member of
the Attleborough school board eighteen years, of which he is
now chairman, also a member of the board of overseers of the
l>oor for many years, and a prominent Mason.
Rufina M. E., born at Warren, R.I., March 17, 1850; she was
married in 1870 to Stephen F. Munroe; they had five sons,
three of whom are living; she died Feb. 17, 1908.
Mary H., born Nov. 14, 1857; married June 19, 1883, to William
H. Easterbrooks. They had one child, Alice M., born July
2, 1884, who married Harold K. Richardson, June 24, 1908,
and is now living in Attleborough. They have two children:
Roger King, born Aug. 14, 1909, and Marian L., bom April
18, 1912.
William Lincoln, born Nov. 4, 1860; married June 25, 1890, to
Annie E. Gilmore of Attleborough; member of the firm of E.
D. Gilmore & Co.
Mr. King is a successful business man and is prominent in town
affairs and various orders.
LAKE, HIRAM, M.D., was born in Rehoboth, Mass., Aug. 25r
1820, the second son of Joseph and Eleanor (Williams) Lake. HU
Il
i
€
P^%'
^
'^-■HISSHH
IP
IIIUAM LAKK. M. U.
AltlAII Ill.rSS llOrsK. AKrii-iilliire Av<
ISAIAH N. AIJ.KN llorsK. II csiii
TOWN KOI SK.
JOHN KAItl.l': llorSK. CoiMily Siroi-l.
LAKK IIOI'SK, WnlcrSlrtYt; Kin 1 1 Hue
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 369
pateraal ancest^ is traced back through the Lakes to a veiy early
period; his Ellis line to Lieut. -Gov. John^ Ellis and Elizabeth*
Freeman; his Goff line to Anthony^ and Sarah (Polly) Goff in this
country; his Thurber line to John^ and Priscilla Thurber; hb
Cheney line to "Mr." William* and Margaret Cheney; his Thurs-
ton to Ensign (Dea.) John* Thurston and Margaret; his Burgess,
to Thomas Burgess, member of Parliament from Truro (1602-23^*
and wife, Elizabeth P^e, whom he married March 21* 1598; his
Warden to Peter*; his Toogood to Nathaniel*; his Bullock to
Stephen*; his Moulton to Capt. (Dea.) James,* Sr.; his Bliss
through Thomas and Dorothy (Wheatley) Bliss, Rehoboth's fa-
mous settler, who was born in Deventry, England, 1582. His ma-
ternal ancestry is also distinguished: here through the Williams
and Makepeace lines, he goes back to the Mayflower Pilgrim,
Thomas* Rogers; to John* Johnson, the first surveyor-general and
the first commander of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Com-
pany. His Waldron line to William* Walderns, Alcester, England,
and wife Joan (he was buried there Jan. 13, 1590) ; his Briggs to Uie
time of Edward HI and 1272; his Macomber to Thomas and wife
Thomasine of Exeter, Eng.; his Hilton to William* who came in
the Fortune, 1621; his Woodman to Richard Woodman who was
burnt at the stake in front of Star Inn, Lewis, Sussex Co., Eng.,
June 22, 1557; his Grecnleaf through Edmund Greenleaf to
France, 1066; his Dole also to France, but family were in England
after 1066; his Bryant to Stephen*; his Shaw to Abraham*; his
Phillips to Dea. Nicholas.*
Dr. I^akc*s father was a prosperous farmer and horse-breeder,
and his early life was not unlike that of most boys reared in the
country. He enjoyed such advantages as the district school of
those days afforded, worked on the farm, grew strong in body,
varied in resources and sound in character. He attended the acad-
emy and a boys* school in Providence, R.I., fitting for Brown
University; but his father objected, and he entered a drugstore
in Providence as clerk and began the study of anatomy and med-
icine with Dr. Busker. Later he studied with Dr. Bowker of
New York, afterwards entering the Cincinnati Medical Collese,
receiving his M.D. 1846. In that year he married Olive Fuller
Shorcy of Seekonk and settled in Holliston, Mass., where, and in
the towns in the vicinity, he was in active practice for forty-two
years. As a physician he was unusually successful and greatly be-
loved by old and young. He was a veteran Odd Fellow and also
treasurer of Mt. Ilollis Masonic lodge for many years. He was a
trustee of Holliston Savings Bank. He organized the first Board
of Health of Holliston, and was for many years its president and
secretary. He was a Republican in politics, active in temperance
work and the Y. M. C. A. when that organization flourished in
Holliston. He united with the Methodist Episcopal Church ill
April, 1859, and was an active member and a trusted official of th^
360 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
church. He was interested in starting and maintaining religious
services in outlyinK districts of the town and abo in Sherbom, and
contributed liberally of his time and means for their support.
The pastors who served the church in the days of his activity will
remember him as an earnest, faithful member, always ready to
second their efforts and support them in all departments of their
work. He was greatly beloved by the whole community for his
friendly sympathy, his cheery words, and his ever-ready ''helping
hand."
Hiram I^ake, M.D., died in HoIIiston, Mass., Feb. 16, 1898.
Mrs. Olive Fuller Lake died March 6, 1909; both lie buried in the
Village Cemetery, Rehoboth, Mass. A daughter. Miss Gertrude
Imogene Lake, survives.
LUTHER, WILLIAM H., was the son of Rodolphus Luther of
Swansea and Lephe (Goff) Luther of Rehoboth. He was born in
Rehoboth, May 5, 1840; married Dec. 25, 1867, Abbie J. Goff»
daughter of Enoch and Keziah (Luther) Goff of Rehoboth. They
had two children:
William K., born Oct. 29, 1868; married Lillian B. Carpenter of
Rehoboth, daughter of Thomas W. and Mary (Seagraves)
Carpenter, Jan. 30, 1889. They had issue: Ella Blanche,
l)orn August, 1889; married Edward B. Roberts; Bessie
May, born Sept. 23, 1892; Edwin Newton, born April 24»
1905; and two deceased.
George Henryy born Jan. 4, 1871; married Marianne Frances
Bishop, June 10, 1895; one son, George Bishop, born Nov.
27, 1897.
Mr. Luther attended the district schools and High School at
Rehoboth, and also studied at the Thetford Academy, Vt., in 1858.
During the War of the Rebellion he entered the Union service
in Co. H, 3d Mass. Infantry, Sept. 23, 1862, and was mustered
out with the regiment J une 26, 1863. By two re-enlistments in the
18th Unattached Mass* Co., he continued in the army until May
12, 1864, successively as private, corporal and sergeant. He was
commander of Bucklin rost. No. 20, Dept. R. I., G. A. R., in
1901, 1911 and 1912. After the war he resided in Rehoboth till
1893, when he removed to East Providence, R.I., and was book-
keeper for the East Providence Ice Company for nine years, and
for the Citizens' Ice Company at Pawtucket for eight years. While
at Rehoboth he was town clerk for many years, and also served
on the school board for six years.
MARTIN, HON. SIMEON, was born in Rehoboth, Oct. 20,
1754. He was the son of Silvanus Martin, Esq., and Martha
(Wheeler) Martin, a descendant of John Martin who emigrated
from England in 1665. Not less than five successive generations
were born and lived in Rehoboth: John,^ emigrant ancestor,
married Mercy e Billington, June 27, 1681. John,' born June 10,
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 361
1682; married Hannah Darling, Dec. 25, 1701. Ephraim,' bom
; married Thankful Bullock, Dec. 6, 1699; died June 26,
1733-4. Edward,* born Oct. 22, 1700; married Rebecca Peck,
Nov. 8, 1722; died June 2, 1745. Silvanus,* bom July 1, 1727;
married Martha Wheeler, Feb. 20, 1745-6; died Aug. 13, 1782.
Simcon,« born Oct. 20, 1754; died Sept. 3, 1819.
While in his youth Simeon removed to Providence, R.I., and
was one of the first to enlist in the War of the Revolution. He was
in Col. Crane's artillery company at Roxbury with Washington in
1775. Was captain in Col. Lippitt's regiment, and was in the battle
of Trenton under Washington in 1776. He was in the expedition
on Rhode Island under Gen. Sullivan in 1778. On the evacuation
of Newport by the British in 1779 he removed to that place and
for several years was chosen to represent the town in the General
Assembly. He was first Adjutant-General, then Major-General
of the State Militia, and for a number of years was elected Gover-
nor until he declined a re-election in 1816. At the time of his
death he was a member of the corporation of Brown University.
As a merchant he was highly respected for his honesty. It is said
of him, "He was a dutiful son, a kind brother, a tender husband,
an affectionate father and a good neighbor. He died in full be-
lief of obtaining salvation in and through the merits of Christ
the Son of God." He is buried in the old yard at Burial Place
Hill in South Rehoboth.
MARVEL, PROF. FREDERICK WILLIAM, was born in Re-
hoboth, Dec. 25, 1869, the son of William H. and Harriet (Bowen)
Marvel. His grandparents on both sides were leading citizens of
the town. On account of his mother's early death he was brought
up by his grandparents at the Marvel homestead in Rehoboth Vil-
lage. The home atmosphere of kindly service in which the boy
grew up gave tone to his whole life. As a schoolboy he was a
leader m the athletic and social activities of his neighborhood.
From the Rehoboth schools, including the private school at the
Goff Memorial Hall, he went to Worcester Academy. Here he
soon won a position for himself by his manly character and by his
physical accomplishments. He won the medal as all-round gym-
nast, was captain of the track team and a member of the board
of monitors. On entering Brown University in 1890 he imme-
diately took a prominent part in college affairs. He was a member
of the athletic team for tour years and captain for two. During
this time he established four Brown records and one New England
intercollegiate record. He was president of the Reading-Room As-
sociation, of the Base-Ball Association, of the Foot-Ball Associa-
tion, and a member of the Cammarian Club, the honorary Senior
society. He became a member of the Zeta Psi Fraternity, of which
he is now a director. After his graduation, Mr. Marvel for two
years acted as instructor in mechanical drawing and in physical
362 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
training in Brown University. From this work he was called to
the directorship of the gymnasium at Wesleyan University, Bfid-
dietown, Conn. Here he also acted as coach to the track team.
In 1901 Mr. Marvel returned to Providence and engaged in
business for one year, during which time he had charge of we phys-
ical training at the Moses Brown Preparatory School.
On June 2, 1902, he was married to Elizabeth Stanton Knowles,
daughter of Edwin and Dorcas (Clark) Knowles of Providence,
R.I. After another year at Wesleyan he was called, in 1903-4, to
Brown to act as instructor in physical training. The following
^ear his rank was raised to that of full professor of physical train-
mg, and in 1906 he was also made Supervisor of Athletics, which
positions he still holds. As every student is obliged to take the
required work in the gymnasium under the direction of Prof.
Marvel, no man on the Brown faculty has a larger acquaintance
among the Brown alumni. "He has always believed," writes
President Faunce, '*in 'a sound mind in a sound body,' and has
made physical development a real help to scholarship and char-
acter.*
Prof. Marvel is a member of The American Physical Education
Society, The Society of College Gymnasium Directors, also the
University Club of Providence, R.I., and the Brown Club of New
York City.
Prof. John F. Greene, his colleague and friend, presents the
following appreciation: "He has been chiefly responsible for the
financial soundness and the sportsmanly conduct of Brown athlet-
ics. His work is thoroughly appreciated at Brown and elsewhere
in the country for the sense he has of the proportion of athletic to
other college interests; for the spirit of fair play and sportsman-
ship which he imparts to all associated with him, and for his suc-
cess in holding students up to the standards of responsibility and
honesty even when they arc assailed by an overpowering desire
to win."
MARVEL, JOHN COTTON, was born in Westport, Mass.,
July 31, 1817. His boyhood until the age of twelve was passed in
that part of Swansea called "Swansea Factory," where his father,
William Marvel 2d, was superintendent of the cotton mill.
In 1829 the family moved to Rehoboth Village and his father
became agent for the Union Manufacturing Co., which position he
filled for about six years. In the meantime young Marvel studied
for a time in Minister Thompson's school and was busy helping
in the Company's store and working on the land. Later he kept
the Village store for many years, and also carried on his farm near
the Village. He was appointed postmaster May 11, 1843, and held
the oflSce until Feb. 15, 1897, — a period of nearly fifty-four
years. Politically he was a Whig of the old school, but later he
became a steadfast Republican; was justice of the peace, and for
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 363
three years town treasurer and collector. He served in the Massa-
chusetts Legislature in 1859 and was an honored member and
liberal supporter of the Congregational Church. About the year
1845, Mr. Marvel moved to South Rehoboth and took charge of the
store of the Orleans Manufacturing Co. for two years.
Mr. Marvel married for his first wife, Ruth Wheeler Peck of
South Rehoboth, Feb. 20, 1842. They had one son, William
Henry, born Jan. 31, 1843, the mother dying ten days later. Wil-
liam Henry married Harriet A. Bowen, June 25, 1865; he died
May 20, 1909, leaving one son, Frederic W. (see sketch).
His second wife was Frances A. Peck, sister of Ruth W., whom
he married Dec. 2, 1849. They had four children:
Ruth A., born July 18, 1851; died Oct. 6, 1871.
John P., born June 18, 1857; married Abbie (Wilmarth) Chace,
Nov. 28, 1899; one child, Ruth Wilmarth, born July 24, 1902.
Mary W., born Sept. 6, 1864; died Oct. 21, 1865.
Betsey W., born Feb. 10, 1867; niarried J. Iryin Chaffee, Nov. 26,
1885. They have three children: Francis Marvel, born Feb.
15, 1891, at Rehoboth, Mass.; Jonathan Irvin, born Jan. 24,
1900, in New York City; Clarence Church, born Aug. 26,
1901, in New York City.
MARVEL, JOHN F., son of the former, is of the sixth genera-
tion from —
Thomas/ born Sept. 15, 1709; married, Sept. 15, 1730, Ruth Kemp-
ton* daughter of Strplini,'* Kphraiin,^ Kphraim,* Ephraim.^
Stephen,' born Aug. 4, 1737. Married Ann lx;Moine.
Benanuel,' born Jan. 25, 1765; married Jan. 7, 1788, Sarah Mason,*
daughter of Amos," Caleb,^ Isaac,' Isaac,* Samson' who mar-
ried Mary Ann Butterwortli.
WiUiam,^ born Nov. 23, 1789; married (1) Betsey Pettis; (2)
Sally Pettis (sisters), who were descended on their maternal
side from Francis Cook of the Mayflower.
John Cotton,* born July 31, 1817; married Ruth W. Peck and
Frances A. Peck.
John F.,* the subject of our sketch, was born in Rehoboth Village,
June 18, 1857; married Nov. 28, 1899, Abbie (Wilmarth)
Chace. One daughter, Ruth W., was born July 24, 1902.
Mr. Marvel was graduated at the East Greenwich Academy in
1878. In 1879 he made his first trip to the Azores in the bark
"Veronica," which carried supplies to whalers and returned with
Portuguese emigrants. In 1882 he visited Madeira and other is-
lands of the Atlantic. He afterwards assisted his father inthestore
and post-ofKcc. In 1888 he traveled in Germany, spending some
months at Bremen and Munich, and in the Tyrol, Verona, Venice
and Trieste. In 1889 he returned to Germany, sojourning for
some time in Berlin. On returning home he continued to assist
his father in business, and became fond of athletics, excelling par-
364 HISTORY OP REHOBOTH
iicularly in base-ball. He lielonged to several local teams and
played first base. In politics he is u Republican, and while in-
terested in town affairs has declined to hold office. For many
{ears he has pursued the double calling of carpenter and painter,
n 1884 he jomed the Pioneer lodge of Masons in Somerset. Mr.
Marvel is an active worker in the Rehoboth Antiquarian Society,
and is highly esteemed for his many sterling qualities.
MILLER, CALEB, M.D.,son of Philip and Rhoba, was l>om in
Rehoboth, June 23, 1785; married Mary Ann Bucklin of Seekonk,
Aug. 14, 1816; settled in Bristol, R.I., where he died Nov. 13»
1826, in his forty -second year; buried beside his wife and two
children at ''Burial Place Hill," South Rehoboth. An inscription
on his stone reads, ''In all the relations of life he was a man.'*
MILLER, CAPT. JOSHUA, son of Philip and Rhoba and
brother of Dr. Caleb Miller, was born in Rehoboth, Jan. 18, 1789.
Married Lydia Wheeler of Rehol)oth, Sept. 2, 1810; died Feb.
24, 1850, and is buried beside his brother at "Burial Place Hill.*'
He owned and conducted a factory for the tanning of morocco
leather at Palmer's River, near his residence. Was commissioned
captain in the Rehoboth Militia, March 1, 1817. Like his brothers
he had an aptitude for the healing art and was often called to
prescribe for the sick and to give first aid in cases of injury. His
daughter. Electa Ann, who married Dea. G. A. Reed of RehoboUi,
was a gifted nurse.
MILLER, NATHANIEL, MJ)., son of Philip and Rhoba, liom
in Swansea, Mass., April 23, 1771, but soon afterwards his parents
removed to Reholiotli where he was brought up. He graduated
from Bowdoin College in 1814, studied medicine with Dr. I^uis
Leprilete of Norton, and took his degree in 1817 at I)oth Bnms-
wick and Harvard. He settled in Franklin, where he built for
his practice a large private hospital which, having stood for a
century, was burned in 1913. He also built a small thread-mill
near his residence and employed Col. Willard Boyd as manager.
Dr. Miller was an influential citizen, active in public affairs and
generous in charity. He married, Jan. 1, 1797, Hannah Boyd of
Franklin. Slic died April 29, 1840. He died June 10, 1850, both
at Franklin.
Two of Dr. Miller's sons were distinguished physicians and sur-
geons: Lewis Leprilete, who practiced medicine in Providence,
R.I., from 1827 to 1807; and Erasmus D., who settled in Dor-
chester, Mass., where his distinugished son, Dr. Winthrop Miller,
was born.
The genealogy of this branch of the Miller family is as follows —
bearing in mind that Miller and Millerd arc two forms of the same
name:
John Millerd,^ a proprietor of Rehoboth in 1043, cousin and heir of
CI.AHKNCK A. Art-MIOE
BENJAMIN F. MUNKOE
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 366
Thomas Millerd of Boston, who owned a large part of what
is now Boston Common.
Robert,' born in 1640; married Elizabeth . Their children
were born in Rehoboth.
Nathaniel,' born in Rehoboth, March 31, 1672; married (1) March
30, 1694, Susannah Gladding, and (2) May 30, 1728, Rebecca
Taylor of Taunton. He died March 16, 1740-1.
Nathaniel,^ born in Rehoboth, Oct. 7, 1696; married Ruth Chase
of Newbury, Mass.
Nathaniel,* born in Rehoboth, Jan. 23, 1725-6; married May 15,
1748, Mary Wheeler.
Philip,' born in Rehoboth, May 6, 1750; married Rhoba .
Lived for a time in Swansea. Was a soldier in the Revolution-
ary War. Nine children.
Nathaniel,' M.D., born in Swansea, April 23, 1771; spent his boy-
hood in Rehoboth; settled in Franklin, etc.
Lewis Leprilete,' M.D., born at Franklin, Mass., Jan. 6, 1798;
graduated from Brown University in 1817; M.D. at Harvard.
Married, Deceml)cr, 1822, Electra Smith of Bristol; prac-
ticed medicine in Providence from 1827 to 1867. Died in
Providence, March 8, 1870.
Nathaniel,' M.D., born at Providence, Dec. 20, 1824, where he
resided and practiced until his death. May 5, 1866. Both he
and his father were eminent in their profession.
From the above we see that the Miller or Millerd family of
Rehoboth gave to the world no less than six honored physicians,
all of whom were distinguished in surgery.
MUNROE, HON. ADDISON P., son of Philip A. and Delana
(Pierce) Munroe, was born in Providence, R.I., Jan. 2, 1862. As
a small lad he attended the Harris School in Rehoboth, but com-
pleted his education in the public schools of his native city, after
which he engaged in the grocery business in Providence, following
that until 1909 when he retired. Mr. Munroe has taken a prom-
inent part in public affairs and ranks among the foremost Demo-
crats of his city and state. He was a member of the Rhode Island
House of Representatives from Providence in 1903, serving on the
committee on accounts and claims. From 1911 to 1914 inclusive
he served as state senator from the City of Providence, being a
member of the judiciary and other important committees. He
was the Democratic leader in the Senate and took an active part in
legislation, introducing many important measures and participating
in all important debates. In 1898, 1899 and 1900, he was president
of the Young Men's Democratic Club, at that time the largest
l>olitical organization in the state. In 1913 he was his party's
candidate for United States Senator, receiving the full party vote
in both branches of the General Assembly. In 1916 he was nomi-
nated for Governor by the Democratic State Con vention, but as a
366 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
result of the Republican tidal wave which swept Rhode Island in
that year, he was defeated. He is a member of the state commis-
sion having in charge the armory for mounted commands of the
state militia. He is greatly interested in historical and genealogi-
cal matters, and is a member of the Rhode Island Society of May-
flower Descendants, and served as govemorof that society in 1911,
1912 and 1913. In 1912 he was elected deputy govemor-ffeneral
of the National Society of Mayflower Descendants, and stiO holds
that ofBce. He is also a member of the Society of Colonial Wars,
Sons of the American Revolution, and of the Rhode Island His-
torical Society.
Addison P. Munroe married, Dec. 22, 1885, Annie Bumside
Hopkins, daughter of Nelson and Emily Greene (Bateman) Hop-
kins; she is descended from a line of distinguished colonial an-
cestors, and is a member of the Colonial Dames of America, and
of Gaspee Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. She
was born in Cranston, R.I., Aug. 12, 1861. The children of Ad-
dison P. and Annie (Hopkins Munroe are:
Chester Pierce, bom in Providence, Sept. 1, 1889; married (1)
June 24, 1912, Gladys Avis Rich; (2) June 3, 1917, Maiy
Doris Davenport. He is chief clerk at the Grove Park Inn,
Asheville, N.C.
Harold Bateman, bom in Providence, Sept. 11, 1891; married
Esther Louise Whipple, June 4, 1913. He is a deputy sheriff
of Providence County, State of Rhode Island.
MUNROE, BENJAMIN F., is the fifth generation in direct
line from John Munroe: John,^ Benjamin,* Benjamin,' John,^
Benjamin.' He was the son of John N. and Lousina J. (ICnapp)
Munroe, and was bom in Rehoboth, March 20, 1866. Married,
Jan. 30, 1895, Grace Marian Appleby of Providemre, R.I. Seven
children have Ijccn lH>rn i<> Uicin :
Marion F., born Jan. 7, 1896.
Clarence C., born Sept. 1, 1897.
Benjamin C, born Oct. 25, 1899.
Hope A., born Feb. 7, 1902.
Chester M., bom March 31, 1904.
Clara F., born Feb. 12, 1908.
Ralph G., bom Sept. 24, 1915.
Mr. Munroe purchased the ancestral homestead in 1908, where
he now resides. He is prominent in the affairs of his native town,
having l)ecn chosen selectman and one of the board of assessors
continuously since 1911. He is also the town Forest Warden.
MUNROE, CLARENCE M., bom in Rehoboth, Mass., Feb.
19, 1855; son of John N. and Lousina J. Munroe. Left home at the
age of eighteen; two years later located in Providence, and in
1881 engaged in the hay and grain business which is still con-
Hon. AimiSdN I'. MI'NHOK
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 367
tinued under the name of C. M. Munroe & Son, 8 to 18 Bath
Street. On May 3, 1882, he married Honora Isabelle Kase»
daughter of Joseph H. and Matilda Kase of Rush town, North-
umberland County, Pa. One son, John K. Munroe, bom June
15, 1883; he married Zanna M. Miner of East Providence, R.I.,
June 15, 1909.
MUNROE, PHILIP ALLEN, son of Burden and Lydia (Baker)
Munroe, was born in Swansea, Mass., Nov. 27, 1821. He was
descended from a long line of illustrious ancestors, the Munroe
family being of Scotch descent, traced back to the eleventh cen-
tury. Through the marriage of his great-grandfather, John Munro,
to Hannah Rosbotham, he was descended from Richard Warren
who came to America in the Mayflower in 1620, his line of descent
from the Mayflower being: Richard Warren,^ Elizabeth Warren,*
Col. Benjamin Church,' Elizabeth Church,^ Hannah Rosbotham/
who married John Munro, Stephen Munro,* Burden Munroe,'
Philip Allen Munroe.^ Although he never became a member, he
was eligible to membership in the Society of Mayflower Descend-
ants and the Society of Colonial Wars. When he was five years
of age his parents removed to Warren, R.I., where they resided
for two or three years, after which his father purchased a farm in
Rehoboth, where the family permanently settled. Philip ob-
tained his education, which was limited, in the little old school-
house near his father's farm, the course of study being restricted
to the "three Rs." With this meager schooling he commenced a
career of wide usefulness and substantial success, starting empty-
handed and by indomitable perseverance and industry acquired
a handsome competence. He was in every respect a self-made
man, of unimpeachable integrity, and became one of the most
prominent busmess men of the City of Providence. After leaving
school he learned the mason's trade which he followed for about
a year in Pawtucket, R.I. He then became a clerk in the grocery
store of his brother-in-law, Lyman Pierce, on Canal Street in
Providence, which was the beginning of his successful business
career. After about a year he became a partner in the business,
and so little capital did he have that he was obliged to give his
note in pcayment for his interest, which note he paid in a little
over a year. This partnership continued for sixteen years, Mr.
Pierce retiring from the firm at the end of that period. Mr. Mun-
roe continued in business at the old stand, and later took his
brother Burden into partnership; the business, which had now
grown to immense proportions, being conducted under the firm
name of P. A. Munroe & Co., and was continued until 1876, when
the firm was dissolved and both partners retired from active busi-
ness. Mr. Munroe had been connected with the business for
about thirty years and his retirement was well earned. He had
previously settled in East Providence, where he had built a fine
368 HISTORY OP REHOBOTH
residence, and after his retirement he devoted his attention to
looking after his large real estate interests; in addition to which
he served as executor and trustee for several estates. He spent
several winters in Florida, and his life, after retirement from busi-
ness, was one of ease and comfort. He remained loyal to Reho-
both, the scene of his boyhood days, and always spoke of the town
in the highest terms. While never holding any public oflSce, he
generally voted for the men and measures of the Democratic
party. In religion he was a lifelong Universalist, being quite prom-
ment in that denomination. He died in East Providence, Sept.
18, 1908, in the eighty-seventh year of his age.
On Dec. 29, 1844, Mr. Munroe married Delana Pierce, who was
also descended from a long line of illustrious ancestors. She was
a descendant of Capt. Michael Pierce, the famous Indian fighter;
an original Daughter of the American Revolution, her father hav-
ing fought in the Continental Army, and she was a member of
Gaspee Chapter, D.A.R., of Providence. Delana Pierce was bom
in Rehoboth, Juty 13, 1823, daughter of Isaac and Polly (Bowen)
Pierce, and died m Barrington, R.I., June 19, 1909, in the eighty-
sixth year of her age. She contributed much toward the success
of her husband, by her thoughtful co-operation and valuable as-
sistance. As a young woman she was a regular attendant at the
old Hornbine Meeting-House in Rehoboth, and she always showed
a loving loyalty to the town of her birth, to the old church of her
girlhood days, and to her kindred. The children of Philip A. and
Delana Munroe were:
Sophronia Jane, bom in Providence, Jan. 5, 1847, married Thomas
W. Richmond, Nov. 21, 1866; died April 29, 1869.
Ljrman Francis, bom in Providence, June 14, 1848; married ^1)
Camilla C. Munroe, Dec. 25, 1873; (2) Jannie McDearmid,
April 3, 1882.
Delana Jenoe, born in Providence, Jan. 9, 1850; died March 20,
1856.
Lena Augusta, born in Providence, Dec. 30, 1850; died Aug. 28,
1851.
Philip Allen, Jr., born in Providence, June 26, 1852; married
Henrietta Packard, Jan. 2, 1877.
Josephine, born in Providence, April 9, 1854; died Nov. 30, 1854.
Oliver Buchanan, born in Providence, May 22, 1856; married (1)
Mrs. Annie S. Jeffery, Dec. 11, 1883; (2) Ethel B. Crosse,
March 6, 1889.
Addison Pierce, born in Providence, Jan. 2, 1862; married Annie
B. Hopkins, Dec. 22, 1885.
Nellie Frances, born in Rehoboth, May 4, 1868; married Clarence
A. Brouwer, Dec. 15, 1892.
NICHOLS, DANFORTH BLISS, D.p., son of James and Lydia
(Bliss) Nichols, was born Oct. 8, 1816, in a house owned by Samuel
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 369
Baker at Oak Swamp, Rehoboth. At the age of ten he was sent
to the Sunday-school at the "Old Yellow Meeting-House'* on the
hill. Dea. Asahel Bliss was superintendent, and Samuel I. Rem-
ington taught the class of boys who recited the verses of Scripture
they had learned through the week. In a letter written many
years later he speaks of "The old meeting-house with the high-
perched pulpit, the sounding-board above it, the fourscore pews,
the high gallery with a higher gallery in the two corners in the
rear of the singers' seats — the highest pews of all, where the
colored men and women had their sittings in God's house."
Mr. Nichols graduated at Oberlin College in 1839, and after-
wards took the degree of M.D., but preferring the ministry, he
was ordained at Bentonsport, la., Jan. 29, 1850. He was superin-
tendent of the Chicago Reform School from 1856 to 1860, and
during the Civil War was superintendent of contrabands at Wash-
ington, D.C., and for several years wa.s connected with Howard
University, lie afterwards did missionary work in several states,
Iowa, Michigan, Florida, Ohio, and Dakota. Through his efforts
the Congregational Church at Bon Homme, Dak., was built in
1885, and later the church at La Grange.
Mr. Nichols was twice married: (1) to Sarah A. Chesman of
Cincinnati, O., Feb. 27, 1840; (2) to Elizabeth Booth of Madison,
la., Dec. 14, 1843. He died at Whilson, Or., Dec. 8, 1906, at the
age of ninety years.
PECK, BENJAMIN, was born in Swansea, Mass., June 3, 1790.
His father, Peleg Peck, who was born in 1736, was a leading man
in town in his day. Being in the prime of life on the opening of
the Ilevolution, he early took an interest in military affairs. He
received a commission from the Colonial Government in 1772,
and held a captain's commission in a Swansea company. He
married for his first wife, Phebe Mason of Swansea, by whom he
had fourteen children. His wife dying in 1778, he subsequently
married Mary Thornton, a widow with three children. There were
five children by this marriage, of whom Benjamin was the youngest,
therefore he had twenty-one brothers or half-brothers and sisters.
His early life was passed upon the farm, and at a proper age he
was apprenticed to Caleb Easterbrooks of Swansea to learn the
trade of a wheelwright. After completing his trade, he in 1813
built the waterwheels for the old "White^' and "Troy" Mills in
Fall River, the first to operate cotton machinery in that city.
In 1815 he married Mary Luther, daughter of Martin Luther of
Warren, R.I. In 1816 he was at Waltham, where he saw the
first power-loom in o|>eration. In 1819 he entered the service of
the old Phenix Foundry Co. in Providence as a pattern-maker,
and in 1821 became superintendent for Philip Allen at his mill
in Smithfield, R.I. His wife died in 1825, leaving him with two
small children, one other having died very young.
24
370 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
In 1826 he came to Rehoboth and became associated with the
Wilkinsons of Pawtucket at the Orleans Mill. The Wilkinsons
failing in 1829, a new company was formed and he continued to
own a half-interest with different partners until 1865, when he re-
tired from business.
In 1820, while residing in Providence, he made a profession of
religion and united with the First Baptist Church, then under the
pastorate of Dr. Stephen Gano. On coming to Rehoboth he for a
few years worshipped with the Congregational Church at the Vil-
lage. Subsequently he became a member and a deacon in the First
Baptist Church of North Swansea, where his grandfather was
deacon one hundred years before. Here he was very influential*
giving liberally of his time and money for the welfare of the
church. He was fond of music, and for years either sang in the
choir or played the bass-viol. He was accustomed to say that he
did not receive in his youth an amount of schooling equal to one
year; but he was well informed on all subjects, an excellent
mathematician, and understood surveying, trigonometry, man-
ufacturing and civil engineering. He died at Rehoboth Oct. 29»
1882, in his 03d year, retaining his faculties until within a few
hours of his death.
Mr. Peck was a man of large capacity, combining rare mechan-
ical skill with remarkable executive ability. For forty years his
mind was the dominent force in the Orleans Manufacturing Co.
His daughter, Mary Luther Peck, married William A. King,
Feb. 21, 1847. They had four children. (See sketch under **King,
Wm. A.")
PEIRCE, SAMUEL LUTHER, born in Rehoboth, April 13»
1828, was the son of Samuel and Jane (Case) Peirce of Rehoboth.
He was descended from Capt. Michael Peirce of Indian War fame»
as follows: Capt. Michael,^ Ephraim,' Azrikam,' Samuel,^ Azri-
kam,^ Squier,* Samuel,' Samuel Luther.'
His father died when he was eleven years old. During his early
life he was a carpenter, and later he was engaged in the wholesale
meat business with Nathan Earle of Rehoboth. Retiring from
that, he conducted a wholesale milk business, along with general
farming, and for eight years carried the U. S. mail to Providence*
R.I., being the first mail-carrier from the South Rehoboth post-
office, with a record at the central office in Providence unsur-
passed for promptness and efficiency.
Mr. Peirce was a "self-made" man who by the conditions of his
boyhood had learned self-reliance and industry. Whatever he did
was well done. He carried with him an air of thrift and neatness
which appeared in his buildings, lands, teams and all his equip-
ments. He was thoroughly trustworthy in every relation in life.
For several years he was with his family a regular attendant a
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 371
the Congregational Church in the Village. Of him it can be
truthfully said, "He was an honest and faithful citizen."
He married, Aug. 10, 1851, Ann Eliza Carpenter Horton,
daughter of James and Sophia (Wheaton) Horton of Rehoboth,
and at the time of his death, Aug. 31, 1911, they had lived to-
gether over 60 years. She died Oct. 5, 1911. A daughter (their
only child), Nellie Luther Holden, wife of George W. Holden,and
one grandson, Warren Luther Holden, survive him.
PERRY, ARTHUR REED, M.D., sou of Ira and Emily (Reed)
Perry and brother of Dr. Edgar, was born in Rehoboth, June 16,
1866; prepared for college at Phillips Exeter Academy ; graduated
from Harvard College in the class of 1892, and received the degree
of M.D. from the Harvard Medical School in 1896. He married
Margaret Elizabeth Cahill, daughter of William and Margaret
Cahill, at Magnolia, Mass., Oct. 5, 1904.
Dr. Perry has rendered a large service to humanity and won
distinction in his profession by his special investigations in tuber-
culosis, lie prepared himself for his national work by ten years
of diligent practice in his profession in Boston and earlier in Som-
erville, where he was city physician, bacteriologist and member of
the board of health. He concerned himself particularly in the
causes of death among women and children employed in the cotton
mills of New England. Through his initiative the U. S. Bureau
of Labor Statistics started to investigate this important subject
and appointed Dr. Perry to take charge of the service. Relin-
quishing a successful practice, he spent five years intensively study-
ing the pre valency and causes of early death in the New England
and Southern cotton manufacturing cities of Fall River, Man-
chester and Paw tucket; Atlanta, Augusta and Raleigh. Edito-
rially the Boston Medical Journal commended this report as "ep-
ochal." It shows that to tuberculosis is due nearly one-half of
all deaths among women in the cotton mills between the ages of
fifteen and forty-five. The result of this study was published as
Vol. XIV of the nineteen- volume Government report on the "Con-
ditions of Women and Child Wage-Earners in the United States
in 1912."
Dr. Perry has now ready for publication a second and supple-
mentary report relating to the debilitating influences commonly
precedent to fatal tuberculosis. Advanced sheets startlingly show
as prominent death-factors the habitually excessive use of alco-
holic beverages among young men, and child-bearing and overwork
among young women.
PERRY, CHARLES. Anthony Perry, the Rehoboth ancestor,
was born in England in 1615. He came to this country in 1640
and was one of the early settlers of Rehoboth. He was one of the
contributors to the support of King Philip's war and a representa-
372 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
live to the General Court in Boston. He had six children, and
died March 12, 1683» leaving by will recorded at Plymouth a
large landed property and a considerable personal estate. From
Anthony is descended Charles, the subject of this sketch.
Anthony Perry.'
Samuel,' born Dec. 10, 1648; married Mary Millard, Dec. 12,
1678. Seven children.
Jasiely' born in Rehoboth, May 6, 1682; married Rel)ecca Wil-
marth, Jan. 3, 1706. Eight children.
Daniel/ born in Rehoboth, May 0, 1710; married Mary Walker,
March 9, 1737. They lived in North Rehoboth. Eight children.
Ezra,^ born in Rehoboth, May 22, 1741; married Jemima Titus
in 1762. Ten children.
Ezra, Jr.,* born in Rehoboth, Jan. 15, 1767; married Betsey Bliss,
Dec. 10, 1786. Eleven children.
Daniel,^ born in Rehoboth, Dec. 17, 1802; married Lydia Ann
Carpenter of Rehoboth in 1830. He lived at Perryville.
Five children: Daniel, died in infancy, William Carpenter,
Susan Carpenter, Charles, and Elizabeth.
Charles,^ was born in Perryville, May 31, 1840. He was educated
in the public schools and at the Village High School taught
by T. W. Bicknell.
At the age of nineteen Charles Perry entered the wood-turning
factory of James Henry Perry & Co., learning the business and
joining the firm in 1865. In 1871 he became sole owner of the busi-
ness, and the next year took as his partner Edwin Perry of Paw-
tucket. They conducted a thriving business in wood-turning and
carving until 1890, \^hen Charles Perry retired.
Mr. Perry inherits the best qualities of his Puritan ancestry —
a man honored for his integrity, a friend of the needy, highly re-
spected in the town where he has held positions of trust. In 1880
he served as representative in the Massachusetts liCgislature, and
has been a mem1>er of the Rehoboth school board for many years.
He is a staunch Republican, firm in his convictions, and ever loyal
to the course he believes to be right. In 1867, he became a member
of the Annawan Baptist Church, gave generously for its support,
and was for many years its treasurer. The choir had the benefit
of his unusually fine voice, a consecrated gift which all enjoyed.
On Nov. 26, 1868, he married Anna Powell Pierce, daughter of
Noah and Elizabeth Martin Pierce of Rehoboth. They had five
children, as follows:
Edward Everett, born Jan. 17, 1870; married Ma1)el Foster Briggs
of Attleborough, Sept. 26, 1900. Died Aug. 10, 1912. One
son, Ralph Foster.
Clara Louise, born July 18, 1874; married Edwin Foster Cary
of Providence, R.I., Sept. 14, 1898. Two children: Eleanor
Foster and Hope Shepherdson.
(IKCIItCK I'IKKCK llAKHIt. M. l>.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 373
Marion Carpenter, bom Sept. 11, 1882; married Jerome Earle
Farnum of Providence, R.I., April 30, 1006. Two children:
Perry Earle and Muriel Pierce.
Edna FranceSy bom Nov. 8, 1884.
Edith Aurelia, bom Nov. 8, 1884; died Feb. 10, 1885.
PERRY, DR. EDGAR, was the son of Ira and Emily (Reed)
Perry and was born at the ancestral home in Rehoboth, Oct. 10,
1855. He attended the public schools and was graduated from
Phillips-Exeter Academy, New Hampshire, in the class of 1877.
From there he went to Brown University and graduated in the
class of 1880 with the degree of A.B., and three years later was
given the Master of Arts degree. He was an honor man with Phi
Beta Kappa rank. Immediatley after leaving college he went to
Attleborough, Mass., where he took a position with the AUle"
borough Chronicle as reporter. Evidencing marked ability as a
newspaper writer, he soon became editor and proprietor and was
connected with the paper for seven years. In 1888 he went West
and joined the staff of the Cleveland Leader ^ but in 1801 returned
East and joined the staff of the Boston Herald^ with which he
worked until about 1893, when he became the correspondent at
Boston of the New York Ilerald, While on tlie Herald staff he
was for several years editor and manager of the Somerville Citizen.
He found time to study medicine and in 1898 graduated from the
Harvard Medical School with a cum laude and at once set up
practice at 1 120 Boylston Street, Boston, where he soon established
the Gordon Perry Hospital. He was a member of the Massachu-
setts Medical Society and of the Boston Medical Society.
His love for Rehoboth was very strong and he always returned
to his native town with delight. He was one of the main movers
in the celebration of the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of
the town, and an efficient member of the committee of arrange-
ments.
Dr. Perry married: (1) Emma White. March 15, 1887. She
died Jan. 15, 1894. Children: Harold White, Esther Reed, Edg^
Adams. (2) Emma Gordon, Sept. 7, 1898. Dr. Perry died April
7, 1903. His tomb-stone in the Briggs Corner Cemetery bears the
following inscription : —
"Edgar Perry,
October 15, 1855 — April 7. 1903,
Journalist, Physician
Tireless in industry, alert of mind.
Lofty of purpose.'*
PERRYy MARSDEN JASIEL. Among the earliest towns
planted in New England was Rehoboth, in the Plymouth Colony.
In 1641 the land was bought from Massassoit by John Brown and
Edward Winslow. The town was planted in 1643, and Anthony
Perry was among the early settlers.
374 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
On the 4th day of March» 1629, tlie Colony of Massachusetts
Bay was given a charter, and twenty-six men were named as
grantees. The fourteenth was Richard Perry, and the twenty-
first was John Brown. The descendants of these two Englishmen
were among the original planters of the town of Rehoboth, and
they intermarried. From these lines there came many descendants.
To one of them, Horatio Perry, a son was bom in 1850, in a small
house on Agricultural Avenue, standing upon the land which hb
great-grandfather had divided among his eight children, leaving
a farm to each. The child was given a name brought to New Eng-
land by the very earliest of these men, two centuries and more be-
fore his birth, Marsden Jasiel Perry. When this child was three
years of age his father died, and soon after his mother was married
to her second husband. The child went to live with his paternal
grandmother, Lucy Perry. This grandmother, a teacher in the
schools, gave the boy the advantage of her many years of training.
The home contained a good library in which the boy was given a
free range. At a very early age he developed an appetite for read-
ing and conned many of the English classics, and in one case a
Greek classic in English, "The Republic of Plato." This wonderful
book the boy rend before his thirteenth year, and Plato's ideal
state is still fixed in his mind.
In the young Marsden the sense of observation became strongly
developed. Besides his natural gift of concentration, his isolated
life led him to turn his mind inward in reflection. He thought
more deeply than the average boy with many playmates, and nb
sagacity has been a prominent trait in hb life. An old farmer near
by once told Marsden of certain plans he had made for the follow-
ing winter; in the autumn the old man died and his cherished plans
were never carried out. From this incident he learned the lesson
of promptness: if a thing was to be done it had better be done
quickly. As he trudged back and forth from school he learned
many things from his own observation, — the songs of birds, the
loveliness of the wild-flowers, the gracefulness of the elm-tree, the
poetry of the wild. At the age of twelve he began to realize that
he must soon go forth among men and do his part in the world's
work. Near the close of the War of the Rebellion he enlisted in a
Massachusetts company and was sent to Boston. He was de-
tailed to a position in the office of the Provost Marshal attached
to the office of Governor Andrew. The 3d of July, 1863, was a
day of importance in his life, as it was in the life of the Governor.
The latter had promised to pass the Fourth with friends in Salem,
but learning the night before that he was expected to make a
speech the next morning at the dedication of the statue of Horace
Mann, he passed most of the night in preparation. As he must
have books of reference from the state library, who should be
asked to bring them but the bright boy from Rehoboth? Thus
his discovery of the state library marked a red-letter day in his
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 375
life. In 1871, Mr. Perry went to Providence, R.I., himself his only
friend, his head and hands his only capital; and there he has
dwelt ever since.
In 1881 lie organized his first corporation, became its president
and controlled it for eight years. In this same year he became a
director in the Bank of America. This, then a small bank, had
assets of $287,000. It is now the Union Trust Company, whose
home is a magnificent twelve-story block on Westminster and
Dorrance Streets in Providence, and its assets are more than
twelve millions of dollars.
As early as 1882, Mr. Perry saw the possibilities of electric
lighting and acquired control of the Fall River Electric Lighting
Company. In 1884 he, with two others, purchased the Narragan-
sett Electric l^ight Company; and still later the Union Street
Railroad in Providence. He is a leading Director in the Nicholson
File Company, the largest file producing company in the world.
Among the greatest of the works of Mr. Perry is his develop-
ment of suburban electric railways over Rhode Island and enter-
ing Mas.snchusctts. This work began with the Interstate Railway
Company in 1895, then bankrupt and in the hands of receivers.
It is now a most important and valuable factor in the communities
it serves.
About the first of January, 1893, Mr. Perry and those associated
with him obtained control of the street railways in the city of
Providence. During the next ten years, under his management,
the mileage of these roads was enormously increased until he con-
trolled practically all the roads in Rhode Island.
Great as were these material achievements, Mr. Perry has ac-
complished another class of works of far greater significance. Dur-
ing all these years he was engaged in collecting a Shakesperian
library. In searching his grandmother's library one day, young
Perry came across a copy of Shakespeare's plays; and every spare
moment for many weeks was spent in pormg over its pages.
From this experience came one of the greatest collections of Shake-
sperian literature now in existence. He also collected the works
of Albert Dlirer, and the etchings and original drawings of Rem-
brandt, as well as the writings of William Morris.
Mr. Perry's love of beauty is seen in his collections of Chinese
porcelain and rare furniture. His home, the John Brown house
on Power Street, Providence, is the best example of colonial
architecture in the state of Rhode Island, and one of the finest in
the country.
Eleven years ago he acquired a handsome Newport estate on the
Ocean Drive, called "Bleak House," beautiful indeed for situation,
but naturally bleak and barren as the name implies. Mr. Perry's
genius has transformed this barren waste and made it blossom as
the rose. To-day the gardens of "Bleak House" are deservedly
376 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
famous and its flowers bloom resplendent in spite of harsh winter
winds.
Mr. Perry is a member of the Art Association of Newport, and
chairman of its committee of buildings and grounds.
Such is in part the work of Marsden J. Perry during the past
forty years. Few have done so much in so many lines for the ad-
vancement and culture of humanity.
PIERCE9 ELIZABETH BESAYADE, was descended from Capt.
Michael Pierce of Indian War fame. She was the daughter of
Noah and Elizabeth Martin Pierce and was bom in Rehoboth,
Aug. 15, 1839. The line of descent is as follows: Noah,* Noah,*
Noah,^ Joseph,^ Azrikam,' Ephraim,' Michael.^
She began her education in the public schools of the town and
in the Bicknell Hi^h School. She commenced teaching at the age
of sixteen at Barrmgton, R.I., with an ungraded school of more
than forty scholars. Being ambitious for further education, she
studied in the academy at Attleborougli and eagerly pursued such
branches as would fit her for her chosen life-work. Her craving
for knowledge and her love of study induced her to take the full
Chautauqua course, graduating in the class of 1887. She after-
wards tooK the course in Universal History, and "'having honorably
passed her examination" received her diploma. All the while,
her work in the schoolroom went forward with renewed zeal, and
many of her pupils felt the inspiration of her teaching and testified
to its helpfulness in after years. She taught in several Rehoboth
schools and in some of the adjoining towns. When in 1886 some
of the schools in town were brought together in the Goff Memorial
Building, Miss Pierce was principal. As the people were not
ready for this advance, causing the plan to fail, she taught a
private school for a year at the hall. Her last years in teaching
were spent in the Blanding school. It was there that she inau-
gurated the first memorial exercises, which have since grown to
mclude all of the schools in town. She had rounded out nearly
fifty years of work in the schoolroom when her health failed.
She was from her youth a loyal member of the church and many
in her Sunday-school class became efficient Christian workers.
She loved the Word of God and delighted in its study. Her chief
desire was to know and do the will of God, and she approved her-
self to all a devout and steadfast Christian. After a lingering illness
which she bore with characteristic fortitude, she fell asleep on the
29th day of June, 1909.
PIERCE9 JOHN W., born in Rehoboth, Mass., Oct. 10, 1862,
was the son of William L. and Sarah E. (Wright) Pierce. He was
educated in the Rehoboth schools and took a special course in the
higher studies, giving his chief attention to music until he became
a director of music in the public schools and churches, and also
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 377
taught singing schools. At eighteen he was employed by George
Marvel in the grocery business. At twenty-two he succeeded his
father on the Rehoboth school board. He taught the Hornbine
School in the winter of 1887-8. In 1888 he bought a farm in
Swansea and engaged in market gardening. He served for several
years on the school committee of Swansea, and was superintendent
of the Sunday-school at the Hornbine Baptist Church for fifteen
years; he was enjoyed as a soloist in church and Sunday-school.
On March 3, 1885, he married Mary E. Kelton, daughter of John
and Hannah M. (Baker) Kelton, who became his efficient accom-
panist. They have one daughter, Stella, bom Sept. 11, 1888, who
married Lester Briggs.
Lineage: John W.,* William L.,* Jabez,' Henry,* Joshua,*
Dea. Mial,^ Ephraim,' Ephraim,' Capt. Michael.^
PIERCE, CAPT. MICHAELi was born in England about the
year 1615, and came to America in 1645, settling at Hingham, but
in 1647 removed to Scituate, which town was settled in 1628 bv
men from Kent. He was twice married, but little is known of his
domestic life except that his second wife was Hannah James, and
that he had ten children, as is shown by his will which is dated
Jan. 15, 1676. Their names were Persis, Benjamin, John, Eph-
raim, Elizabeth, Deborah, Ann, Abiah, Ruth, and Abigail. Many
of the Rehoboth Pierces were descended from Michael through his
son Ephraim. Henry B. Pierce, for many years Secretary of the
Commonwealtli of Massachusetts, was a lineal descendant.
In 1673, Capt. Michael was ensign in a company raised to go
against the Dutch. He had been 1st Ueut. m Captain Miles
Standish's Company. He was commissioned captain by the Plym-
outh Colony Court in 1669. He was in the Narragansett Swamp
Fight, Dec. 19, 1675, and was killed in an ambuscade at Central
Falls, R.I., March 26, 1676.
RANDALL, MENZIAS R., M.D., son of Daniel and Mary Ran-
dall, was born at Easton, Mass., June 10, 1794; received a medical
degree at Harvard University and also at Brown, September,
1824, and commenced practice at Rehoboth the same year. He
married (1) Eliza Edson of Easton, who died Jan. 8, 1833; (2)
Almira Guild ("Gould" in "ViUl Record"), also of Easton,
March 7, 1834. Dr. Randall was a popular physician and politi-
cian; was state senator 1859-60. He died July 23, 1882, aged 88
years, leaving a son. Dr. George H. Randall, who succeed^ him
and practiced in Rehoboth until his death. May 6, 1915, aged
63 years.
RAYMOND, DR. CHARLES N., was the son of Isaac N. Rajr-
mond who was born in Maiden, Mass., June 26, 1831. His
mother's name was H. Maritta Burlingame of Foster, R.I., bom
May 19, 1831. Dr. Raymond was bom at Warren, R.I., April 20,
378 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
1854. He was married (1) to Josephine Harmon of Baltimore,
July 27, 1876, having two children; and (2) to Mrs. L. D. Newell,
Nov. 8, 1914. Both of his daughters taught in the RehoboUi
schools. One of them, Georgia N., married Mr. F. P. Grardiner, of
Warwick, R.I., and has three children; the other, Agnes, is a Bed
Cross nurse now located in France.
Dr. Raymond practiced medicine in Rehoboth from 1894 to
1908 and was prominent in the affairs of the town and church.
He was one of the first movers for an electric railway through tibe
town; waspresidentof the Rehoboth Farmers* Club for ten years;
secretary of the Republican Town Committee for two years; of
the Bristol County Republican Committee for ten years; intro-
duced the first resolution for the introduction into the public
schools of Massachusetts of the teaching of agriculture, and sent
the same to the State Board of Education.
His wife and daughter formed the society of Orace Greenaways
among the children of Rehoboth, which fiourbhed for many years.
Dr. Raymond is now (1917) located at Edgewood, R.I.
REED, REV. AUGUSTUS BROWN, son of Deacon Elijah A.
and Delight (Brown) Reed, was born Nov. 19, 1798, at RehoboUi,
Mass.; died Sept. 30, 1838, at Ware, Mass.; married Nov. 17,
1824, Melinda Borden of Fall River (born Jan. 13, 1805, died Dec.
27, 1893), daughter of William and Sarah (Durfee) Borden.
Agustus B. Keed was prepared for college by Rev. Otis Thomp-
son of Rehoboth, and graduated from Brown University in 1821.
He later studied theology with Mr. Thompson, and on June 2,
1823, was installed as the first pastor of the First Congregational
Church of Fall River, with a salary of $450. He was called to the
church in Ware, Mass., and was there installed Jul^ 19, 1826.
"He was chairman of the school committee, a Whig, an anti-
Mason and a temperance advocate. He was five feet ten inches
in height, of light complexion, blue eyes, slender frame, considered
honorable, social, and benevolent according to his means.*' Mr.
Reed was never strong, and his halth gradually declined until his
death by consumption in the fortieth year of his age. Children:
Theodora Cyania, born July 23, 1825; died March 8, 1886; mar-
ried Eliab Williams of Fall River.
Delight Brown, born June 4, 1828; died Oct. 29, 1849.
Willuun Augustus, born April 8, 1830; died 1891; married Mary
Lucetta Breckenridge.
John Richard, born March 25, 1832; died Nov. 11, 1907; married
(1) Julia Priscilla Breckenridge — four children; married (2)
Martha Huntington Dudman — two children.
Thomas, born Dec. 27, 1834; died Feb. 10, 1835.
Theophilus, born March 15, 1836; died Aug. 23, 1843.
REED, GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS, was the son of Dea. Elijah
Augustus Reed of Dighton and Delight (Bh>wn) Reed of Rehoboth.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 379
He was born Dec. 23> 1811, in Rehoboth, on the Reed homesteadf
half a mile from the Orleans Factory, where all his years were
spent. He was educated in the district schools, and at the Acad-
emy in Ware, Mass.; a man of sound judgment and genuine re-
ligious culture. He was chosen deacon of the Congregational
Church at Rehoboth Village March 27, 1863. He was fond of
singing and led the church choir for many years. He also taught
singing-school for many years, beginning at the age of nineteen,
and in one winter taught eight different schools, thus increasing
his annual income while delighting in his work. As a man, Deacon
Reed was an example of industry, prudence, gentleness and hos-
pitality. The guide of his life was the Golden Rule. He married
Electa Ann Miller of Rehoboth, daughter of Joshua and Lydia
(Wheeler) Miller, March 16, 1836. She was born March 26, 1818;
educated in the common schools and at the Fall River High
School. She was a woman of energy who gave herself freely to her
home, and in times of special sickness to her neighbors also; for
she was accounted a good nurse. She was fair to look upon and
greatly beloved, but modest withal and capable. They had issue:
Charles Leonard, born Sept. 20, 1837; died May 8, 1908.
Annie Electa, born June 13, 1839; died July 27, 1867.
Mary Ann Borden, born Jan. 24, 1843.
Ahnira Miller, born Dec. 10, 1845; died June 6, 1904.
Almon Augustus, born Dec. 2, 1848.
Jane Amelia, born Feb. 22, 1851.
Delight Carpenter, born Feb. 14, 1856. Mrs. Reed died July 18.
1893, aged seventy-five years. Deacon Reed died April 22,
1889, in his seventy-eighth year.
ROBERT THE HERMIT. "A singular and eccentric bemg, who
for many years lived in a rude cell on tlie east side of Seekonk
River, near India Bridge, leading the solitary life of a recluse.*'
Ilis mother was of African descent and he was bom in slavery
about the year 1770. As he grew up he was sold first to one
master and then another, but escaped and became a sailor. After
sufTcring many hardships on land and sea, he lighted upon Seekonk
and built him a little hut at Fox Point where he eked out a wretched
existence until his death at the age of sixty or seventy years, and
was buried in a pauper's grave. (For a further account of this poor
waif see Bliss's History, pp. 249-259.)
SMITH, NATHAN, M.D., professor in the medical schools of
Dartmouth, Yale and Bowdoin Colleges, was born at Rehoboth,
Sept. 30, 1762. While he was still young his parents removed to
Chester, Windsor Co., Vt. Here young Smith acquired the ele-
ments of education in the common schools and helped his father
on the farm. He was a member of the Vermont militia, whose
duty it was to keep the border Indians in check. He was also one
380 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
of a group of young men who hunted beasts of prey and secured
game for the table. In these excursions he suffered great hard-
ship. At one time he was stranded far from home and contracted
a sickness which confined him to his house for many months. He
taught school for several winters, and had reached the age of
twenty-four when he received an impulse which changed the course
of his life. Seeing an operation by Dr. Josiah Goodhue, a noted
surgeon, he determined to study medicine, and after a course of
general reading with Rev. Mr. Whiting of Rockingham, a neighbor-
ing town, he spent three years with Dr. Goodhue at Putney, Vt.,
and the two men became close friends. Dr. Smith began his prac-
tice of medicine at Cornish, N.H., but later took a course of lec-
tures at Harvard University, and continued his practice. At this
Kriod the medical profession in the country was at a low ebb, and
r. Smith, feeling the need of elevating the standard, instituted
the medical department at Dartmouth College in Hanover, N. H.,
and was appointed professor of medicine. The number of students
increased irom twenty at first to sixty, and still later to eighty or
more.
After a few years Dr. Smith went abroad and attended lectures
and clinics in Edinburgh and London. He was in great demand
for consultations, and rode hundreds of miles on horseback, often
over rough roads. In 1813 he became professor in the newly
established Medical Institute at Yale College. He delivered an
annual course of lectures on **The Theory and Practice of Physic,"
besides one or more courses at Dartmouth and Bowdoin Colleges,
and at the University of Vermont. By means of his influence he
effected a great and salutary change in the medical profession over
a large extent of the country.
Dr. Smith possessed a strong, discriminating and inquisitive
mind, a retentive memory, a remarkable power of reducing all the
knowledge he acquired to some practical purpose. He had an
undaunted moral courage, a delicate and tender sensibility, and
a benevolent heart. He died July 26, 1829, at New Haven, Conn.
His works entitled "Medical and Surgical Memoirs'* were published
in 1831. Three of his sons became physicians.
STARKWEATHER, EPHRAIM, was the son of John and
Mary (Herrick) Starkweather of Stonington, Conn. He was bom
at Stonington, Sept. 1, 1733, and was a graduate of Yale College
in the class of 1755. He studied law at Litchfield, Conn., and was
admitted to the bar, but never engaged in practice. From 1755
to 1770 he resided at Stonington, Providence, R.I., and Attle-
borough, Mass. In 1770 he removed to Pawtucket, then a part of
the town of Rehoboth, Mass., where he continued to reside until
his death. He became interested in the manufacture of potash
and pearlash, exporting his products, and also furs, to the British
Isles and Holland. He was very successful in his business, and
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 381
became a large land-owner in Pawtucket and its vicinity. He
read extensively and taught the grammar school in Rehoboth
for several terms (Town Treasurer's book, 1746-1790). He be-
came interested in public affairs, espousing ardently the cause of
the colonies. In 1773 he was chairman of the Committee of
Correspondence, which prepared the instructions of the town of
Rehoboth to its representative in the General Court, Capt. Joseph
Barney, which document is set forth at length on pages 114 to
1 16 of this history. He was delegate from the town to the Third
Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, which convened at Water-
town, May 31, 1775. Also representative of the town in the Gen-
eral Court in 1775 and 1778. Upon the adoption of the Constitu-
tion in 1780, he was elected to the State Senate from the County
of Bristol, and was re-elected in 1781, 1782 and 1783. He acted
frequently as moderator of the annual town meetings of Rehoboth,
and was repeatedly commissioned by the governors of Massa-
chusetts as a justice of the peace for Bristol county. He was one
of Gov. John Hancock's Committee of Four chosen from the
I>cgislature to act in advisory capacity during the Revolutionary
War. (Newman's "Rehoboth in the Past," p. 83.)
Although serving in one branch or the other of the Legislature
during the greater part of the Revolutionary War, he also served
for brief periods, on occasions of alarm, as a soldier. Thus, on the
Lexington alarm, April 19, 1775, he served as a private in Ci4)t.
John Lyon's Company which marched from Rehoboth; and on
the alarm at Bristol, R.I., Dec. 8, 1776, he served as a private in
Capt. James Hill's Company which marched from Rehoboth;
and on the alarm at Tiverton, R.I., July 31, 1780, he served as a
private in Capt. Nathaniel Ide's Company which marched from
Rehoboth.
Ephraim Starkweather was twice married. In September, 1758,
at Attleborough, he married Sarah (Lawrence) Carpenter, the
widow of Comfort Carpenter of Attleborough. * She was the daugh-
ter of Jonathan and Sarah (Pitts) Lawrence of Rehoboth. She
was born at Rehoboth, July 14, 1732, and died at Norton, Mass.,
June 20, 1795. By her, Ephraim Starkweather had two children;
namely, (1) Oliver, born at Attleborough, in 1759, married Miriam
Clay at Rehoboth, Dec. 30, 1784, and died at Pawtucket, Mass.,
May 13, 1834; and (2) John, born at Attleborough in 1762, and
died at Rehoboth, Oct. 25, 1782. He married at Walpole, Mass.,
Dec. 15, 1796, as his second wife, Rebecca Gay, daughter of Na-
thaniel and Rebecca (Kingsbury) Gay of Walpole. She was born at
Walpole, Sept. 19, 1749, and died at Pawtucket, Mass., Sept. 18,
1836, having no children. Ephraim Starkweather died at Paw-
tucket, in the town of Rehoboth, June 10, 1809.
STARKWEATHER, OLIVER, was the son of Ephraim and
Sarah (Lawrence) Starkweather of Rehoboth, Mass. He was bora
382 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
at Atileborough, Mass., in 1750, and accompanied his parents in
1770 when they removed to Pawtucket, then a part of the town of
Rehoboth. During the Revolutionary War he served, for brief
periods, as a soldier. He was actively engaged in mercantile pur-
suits at Pawtucket. He was also a manufacturer of cotton yams
and cloths and accumulated a fortune. He owned large tracts
of land at Pawtucket, and, in 1799, he erected a fine colonial resi-
dence there on Walcott Street, which became the home of the
family for several generations.
Oliver Starkweather was much interested in public affairs. In
1812 the town of Scekonk was set apart from Rehoboth and in-
corporated; and, from that time until 1828, Pawtucket formed a
part of Seekonk. In 1828, the town of Pawtucket was incor-
porated. Mr. Starkweather was representative of the town of
Seekonk in the General Court from 1812 to 1818, inclusive. In
1821 he was elected to the State Senate from the County of Bristol,
and he was re-elected in 1822 and 1823. In 1828 he was chosen a
Presidential Elector. He often acted as moderator at the annual
town meetings of Seekonk, and also of Pawtucket; and he was
for many years a justice of the peace for Bristol county.
Oliver Starkweather was married at Rehoboth, Dec. 30, 1784,
to Miriam Clay, daughter of Capt. James Clay (who was rep-
resentative of the town of Rehoboth in the General Court
from 1763 to 1769, inclusive) and Lydia (Walker) Clay. Mi-
riam Clay was bom at Rehoboth, Nov. 3, 1764, and died there
Sept. 18, 1805. By her Oliver Starkweather had the following
children: (1), John, born at Rehoboth, June 21, 1785, married
Olive Carpenter at Rehoboth, March 14, 1809, and died at Upton,
Mass., in 1858; (2), Sarah, born at Rehoboth, Aug. 20, 1788.
married William Allen at Providence, R.I., July 22, 1810, and died
at Seekonk Jan. 5, 1819; (3), James Clay, born at Ilehoboth
Feb. 7, 1794, and died there Sept. 12, 1795; (4), James Clay,
bom at Rehoboth in 1795, married Almira Chapin Underwood at
Seekonk, Nov. 23, 1820, and died at Pawtucket July 26, 1856;
(5), Samuel, born at Rehoboth, Dec. 27, 1798, married Julia Judd
at Cleveland, Ohio, June 25, 1828, and died at Cleveland, July
5, 1876; and (6), Rebecca Gay, born at Rehoboth in 1802, married
Lyman Claflin at Seekonk, March 5, 1822, and died at Pawtucket,
April 5, 1864.
Oliver Starkweather died May 13, 1834, at Pawtucket, Mass.
STEVENS, GRENVILLE, was born in Raynham, Mass., Oct.
21, 1797. At the age of four years he was bound out with a Mr.
Gilmore until he was twenty. After that he spent ten years in the
swamps of North Carolina, shaving cedar shingles, the work in
those days being done by hand. He was married to Olive Smith
of Rehoboth, Oct. 2, 1828. In 1829 he came to North Rehoboth
and bought the place owned by Elijah J. Sandford. With the ex-
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 383
ception of two years, 184d-47, spent in Fall River, he resided here
until 1859. His place became known as Stevens' Comer. He
kept a public house, store and post-oflSce, a daily stage running
through from Providence to Taunton changing horses at his barn.
At this period he was very prosperous and made many friends.
His trade often amounted to $10,000 a year. He was an active
supporter of the M. E. Church and gave the land on which the
meeting-house stands. He was representative to the General
Court for two terms, 1845-46.
After 1859 he resided eight years in Whitefield, N.H., and was
engaged in the lumber business. At the same time he probably
kept store and carried on a farm, as he is spoken of as a "merchant
farmer." Here he married his second wife, Betsey Snow of White-
field, in 1863, who died in August, 1864, after giving birth to a son,
Sherman. As the near relatives of his wife were about to move to
California, he went with them and settled in Vallejo, Cal. He
afterwards came east and spent six years in Rchoboth, then re-
turned to Tustin, Orange Co., Cal., where he died in 1891 at the
advanced age of ninety years.
By his first wife Mr. Stevens had three sons:
Grenville Smith, born July 10, 1829; married Hannah Wheaton
Smith of Warren, R.I., in 1856, no children. Was a physician
in Providence, R.I.; died Sept. 16, 1909.
Othniel Gilmore, born Sept. 30, 1830; married Abagail M. Morse
of Rehoboth, October, 1853; seven children. Lived on a
farm in Rehoboth. Died Jan. 3, 1913.
Francis Wesley, born Jan. 1, 1833; married Sophia A. Crane of
Taunton, Jan. 4, 1855; one son. Resided on the old home-
stead in Rehoboth until his death, Jan. 10, 1918.
Sherman, the youngest son, resides in California, whither he went
when a child with his father.
SWEET, LUCY BLISS (CARPENTER), was born m Rehoboth
Village, Aug. 1, 1824. Her father was Joseph Carpenter, son of
James and grandson of Col. Thomas, a descendant of William, who
came to this country from England in 1638. Since that time the
family has been prominent in the annals of old Rehoboth. Her
mother was Nancy Mason Bullock, daughter of Abel and Lois
(Mason) Bullock, and descendant of Richard Bullock, one of the
landed proprietors of Rehoboth.
Joseph Carpenter served in the War of 1812. In middle life
he moved to Attleborough, where he resided until his death in
1880 in his ninety -first year.
Lucy Bliss Carpenter was one of fourteen children, ten of whom
lived to maturity. A sister, Sarah Martin Carpenter, became
missionary of the Young Woman's Christian Association of Boston.
A nephew, George Moulton Carpenter, became judge of the United
States District Court of the District of Rhode Island. "Lucy re-
384 HISTORY OF RBHOBOTH
ceived her education in the "old red school-house** near Rehoboth
Village, and also enjoyed special instruction from Miss Fidelia
Thompson* from whom she imbibed a fondness for English lit-
erature. She was married to Everett Leprilete Sweet of Attle-
borough» March 6, 1851. He was a descendant of Henry Sweet
who came to Attleborough in 1690. With the exception of five
years spent in Worcester, they continued to reside in Attleborough,
where Mr. Sweet died in 1868, leaving Mrs. Sweet with five chil-
dren, the eldest fifteen and the youngest eight. In the way of
means she had only a home, and the entire burden of the house-
hold rested upon her hands. The names of her children are as
follows:
Leprilete, bom in Attleborough, Jan. 13, 1853; married Sophia
Foster Hovey of Providence, R.I., Jan. 4, 1882. No children.
Lydia Dunham, born in Worcester, April 26, 1854; died March 19,
1869.
Everett Henry, born in Worcester, Aug. 16, 1858; married Ida
D. Grover of Mansfield, Dec. 30. 1880. Died in San Pedro,
Cal., Aug. 3, 1893. Three children, one living.
Lucy Carpenter, born in Worcester, Dec. 29, 1855; a successful
teacher; resides on the old Sweet homestead in Attleborough.
Newton James, bom in Attleborough, June 21, 1860; married
Alice Williston Hatch of North Attleborough, June 3, 1884.
Four children.
Mrs. Sweet was gifted as a writer both of prose and poetry, and
in large part supported her family by her pen. She was a regular
contributor to the Central Falls Visitor, and to the Attleborough
Advocate, owned and edited by her sons Everett and Newton.
Later she wrote for The Daily Sun. She was prominent in church
and reform work; was the first secretary of the local Woman's
Christian Temperance Union. When the Bristol W. C. T. U. was
formed in 1885 she was chosen superintendent of scientific tem-
perance instruction in the public schools, which position she held
for eleven years. She also took great interest in missions. For
twenty-five years she was president of the Ladies' Foreign Mb-
sionary Society connected with the Congregational Church, and
afterwards an officer in the Old Colony branch. She was interested
in all that concerned the moral and religious welfare of the com-
munity. Her spirit was broad and charitable. While she held
positive convictions, she was willing that others should do die
same. Her poems were written for many different occasions, in-
cluding birthdays, weddings, deaths, and public anniversaries.
She combined clear ideas with a flowing style, as may be seen in
the following stanza : —
'*But lore now comet with winning grace
And wedding belli are ringing;
New Uei fast supenede the old,
Preih caret and pleaturet bringing.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 385
Ring softly, gulden wedding bells.
Your chimes oft change to dirges.
So nearly sorrow*s leaden foot
On pleasure's pathway rerges.**
Mrs. Sweet was an active member of the Congregational Church
for nearly sixty years, and for more than forty years a teacher in
the Sunday-school. She died Dec. 13, 19 10.
**More bleat ourliTes have been, more rich and full
For the sweet memory of thine.**
THATCHER, WILLIAM, son of Rev. James Joshua and Re-
becca (Collins) Thatcher, was born in Swansea, Mass., Aug. 9,
1839. He came to Rehoboth to live in March, 1853. He married
Ella Louisa Horton, daughter of John W. and Mary Ann (Wheeler)
Horton of Rehoboth, June 23, 1872. He was a prosperous farmer
and a respected citizen. In company with his brother Tristam he
carried on the Thatcher farm until his death, which occurred May
8, 1908. He is survived by a widow and one son, two children
having died in early childhood.
The son, Frank Dexter Thatcher, was born Aug. 7, 1880. He
married Charlotte Catharine Carruthers of Rehoboth, June 27,
1906. They have two children: Anthony Carruthers, born Sept.
15, 1907, and Elizabeth May, born March 4, 1909.
VIALL, CHRISTOPHER CARPENTER, son of Samuel H. and
Mary A. (Kent) Viall, was born in Rehoboth, Jan. 15, 1853.
Among his teachers at the Annawan School were Hannah (Horton)
Fisher and Frances (Carpenter) Bliss. He also attended the pri-
vate school of J. K. Metcalf in 1861. Later he studied at The
Phillips-Exeter Academy. He married, April 14, 1881, Clara G.
Bowen of Rehoboth, daughter of Reuben and Sarah A. (George)
Bowen. They have two children, Annie George, born in Sterling,
Conn., Oct. 12, 1885; married April 29, 1907, Miles Oilman, U.
S. N., son of Elvin and Mary Ann Oilman of Sangerville, Me.;
they also have two children: Miriam, born in Rehoboth, Feb.
23, 1908, and Wilson Viall, born in Rehoboth, Dec. 13, 1910.
Mr. Viall's second daughter, Mary Adalaide, was born in Re-
hoboth, Feb. 4, 1890; married June 27, 1914, Mvron Stanley
Walden of Attleborough, Mass., son of Stanley and Lillian Walden.
Mr. Viall was a charter member of Oak Hill Grange at Briggs
Corner, and later Master of the Annawan Grange. He is also an
honored Mason; was a charter member of Naomi Chapter O. E.
S., of East Providence, R.I., and is a member of the Rising Sun
Lodge, A. F. and A. M., also of East Providence.
He bought the Hiram Drown farm on Pine Street in 1888; is
a successful farmer and milk producer, having delivered milk in
Pawtucket daily for thirty years. He was elected a member of the
Rehoboth School Committee in 1882, and after an absence of sev-
25
386 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
eral years in Connecticut* he was re-elected in 1888 and has held
the office ever since. As a singer, Mr. Viall is gifted with a rich
barytone voice and has been much in demand lor quartet work.
Mr. Viall's lineage is in part as follows: —
John Viall,* the immigrant ancestor, a weaver, was born in Eng-
land about 1619; was admitted to be an inhabitant of Boston,
Mass., Jan. 11, 1639, and freeman, June 2, 1641. He kept
the "Old Ship Tavern" at the North End from 1662 to 1679.
when he removed to Swansea, afterwards Barrington. Died
Feb. 26, 1685-6.
Benjamm,' baptized April 14, 1672; lived at Wannamoiset, which
came into Barrington in 1717, and into Rehoboth in 1747;
died in Rehoboth, Sept. 6, 1750.
Nathaniel,* baptized in Rehoboth Nov. 11, 1705; died Feb. 19»
1800, in his 94th year; buried in the Viall or "Little Neck'*
cemetery at Wannamoiset.
Benjamin,^ born 1731; married Keziah Brown; died March 22,
1819, in his 89th year; buried in the Viall yard.
John^ (Captain), born in Rehoboth Nov. 26, 1759; married Esther
Peck; Lieut, of Artillery 1781; died April 7, 1833; buried
in the Viall yard.
Samuel,' born in Rehoboth, Nov. 25, 1782; lived in Rehoboth,
Seekonk and elsewhere; cabinet-maker; married Bebe Jones;
died Feb. 23. 1867; buried in the Viall yard.
Samuel H.,^ born April 8, 1811, in Pawtucket; lived for many
years in Rehoboth; Civil War veteran; died Sept. 30, 1897;
buried in the Lakeside Cemetery, East Providence.
Christopher Carpenter^ (see above sketch).
WEST, BENJAMIN, LL.D., a distinguished mathematician
and scientist, was born at Rehoboth, near the Swansea line, in
March, 1730. During his boyhood his parents removed to Bristol,
R.I., where he was educated mostly through his own unaided ex-
ertions. He was intensely fond of mathematical studies, in which
his proficiency awakened general admiration. He established the
first book-store in Providence, R.I., and carried on that business
during the Revolutionary War, and at the same time manufac-
tured clothing for the Continental soldiers. During these years
he continued to pursue mathematical and astronomical studies.
He published an almanac from 1763 to 1793, calculated for the
meridian of Providence; a copy for 1772 is in the Rehoboth Anti-
quarian collection. He furnished the Royal Society of London
with his observations on the transit of Venus in 1769; taught
mathematics in the Episcopal Seminary at Philadelphia, 1784-
86; was elected professor of Mathematics and Astronomy at
Brown University in 1786, and held the position with equal credit
to himself and advantage to the institution till 1799, receiving in
1792 the degree of LL.D. for his distinguished services in the cause
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 387
of science. He was postmaster at Providence from 1802 till his
death, Aug. 13, 1813, in his 83d year.
His wife was Elizabeth Smith, daughter of Benjamin Smith of
Bristol, R.I. He left one son and three daughters.
WHEATON, CYRUS MARTIN, son of Jonathan and SarepU
(Martin) Wheaton, was born in Rehoboth, Nov. 4, 1794. He
traced his ancestry on both sides to the early settlement of the
town. Robert Wheaton, the first of the name in this country,
came from England to Salem in 1636. Moved to Rehoboth m
1643-46; married Alice Bowen. He was born in Wales in 1605,
died 1695 or '96, aged ninety. He suffered the horrors of King
Philip's War, as he was Philip's nearest neighbor. On his mother's
side Cyrus was a lineal descendant of John Martin of Swansea,
who came to this country in 1663 with Rev. John Miles, pastor of
the first Baptist Church in Swansea. The best traits of both
families were combined in the subject of our sketch, and there
was in him a happy balance of faculties as rare as it is desirable.
He was prominent in the affairs of his native town and for half a
century was closely identified with its history. He was interested
in military affairs and was promoted in early life to the rank of
colonel in the old First Regiment of the Massachusetts Militia.
He was for many years one of Rehoboth 's selectmen, and for
thirty years its town clerk, and also justice of the peace. In 1874,
on his eightieth birthday, he was honored by being elected to the
State Legislature.
He was an active member of the Congregational Church and
Society, and served on the building committee which erected the
present house of worship, dedicated Sunday, Nov. 3, 1839, the
marriage of his eldest daughter constituting a part of the services
of that day. He was always in his place at church on the Sabbath.
As the time of his departure drew near, he said, "Pray for me that
the Lord's will may be done and that I may be reconciled to his
will."
Mr. Wheaton m<arried, for his first wife, Nancy Carpenter,
daughter of Peter and Nancy Carpenter of Rehoboth, Oct. 26,
1817. She died Oct. 15, 1855. They had six children: Nancy
Carpenter, Sarepta Martin, Mary Carpenter, Cyrus Martin,
Elizabeth Moulton, and Amanda Minerva. He married for his
second wife. May 13, 1856, Mrs. Rosella (Carpenter) Perry, sister
of his former wife. Mr. Wheaton lived to share the affection of
twenty grandchildren and thirty-six great-grandchildren.
WHEATON, HORATIO G., M.D., a native! of Rehoboth and
brother of Josephus, was born in June, 1791. He was descended in
a direct line from Robert Wheaton, the first of the name to come
to America: Robert,* Rev. Ephraira,* James,' James,^ Capt. Jo-
seph,* Horatio.*
388 HISTORY OF REHOBOTII
Like his brother, he struggled hard for an education, graduating
at Brown University in 18^. He studied medicine with Dr. J.
W. Whitridge of Charleston, S.C. He had just entered on the
practice of his profession in that city when he fell a victim to yellow
fever and died Oct. 8, 1824. "He was a scholar of fine talents
and a young man of high promise."
WHEATON, JESSE, M.D. Dr. Jesse Wheaton,* James/
James,' Rev. Ephraim,' Robert.' Brother of Capt. Joseph Whea-
ton of Rehoboth, and James Wheaton of Pomfret, Conn. Bom
in Rehoboth, 1762-63, died in Dedham, Mass., Nov. 5, 1847.
He lived in Dedham. Twice married: Betsey, who died Jan. 6,
1816, aged 52; Nancy Dixon of Boston, who died Nov. 24, 1842,
aged 67. He was in the Revolutionary War, was captured by the
British and imprisoned on the infamous prison ship ''Jersey.*'
WHEATON, MARK O., son of William and Rachel (Burr)
Wheaton, was I)orn in Rehoboth in 1834. He married Ann E.
Carpenter of Rehoboth, March 13, 1864. He took part in the
Civil War in 1861, enlisting in the 3d Rhode Island Cavalry, and
serving as private until its close. He resided in Attleborough and
was bookkeeper for Charles £. Hayward & Co., afterwards taking
Mr. Hayward*s place in the firm, know as Wheaton, Richards &
Co. Mr. Wheaton served two successive terms, 1894-96, in the
lower branch of the Legislature. He was a prominent member
of the Methodist Episcopal Church and also a past commander of
the G. A. R. He died June 22, 1896, in his sixty-third year. One
daughter, Mrs. C. S. Smith of Attleborough, survives him.
WHEATON, REV. JOSEPHUS, A.M., son of Capt. Joseph
and Sarah Sylvester (Sweet) Wheaton, was born in Rehoboth,
March 16, 1787, one of fourteen children. His father kept a tavern
in South Rehoboth, near the Seekonk line. His mother was a
step-daughter of Rev. Robert Rogerson, — a most worthy woman.
Young Wheaton early evinced a desire for a liberal education and
worked his way through college, graduating at Brown University
in 1812; served as tutor there for two years; studied Theology
with Rev. Otis Thompson of Rehoboth ; was ordained pastor of the
Congregational Church at Holliston, Mass., Dec. 6, 1815, Mr.
Thompson preaching the sermon. Mr. Wheaton's pastorate con-
tinued until his death, which occurred Feb. 4, 1825, in his 38th year,
of tuberculosis. **He was distinguished as a scholar of superior
abilities, diligent application to his studies, amiable disposition
and engaging manners.'* As a minister he was honored and be-
loved. His portrait still hangs in the chapel at Holliston. He
married (1) Mary Ide of S^konk in January, 1816, and (2)
Abigail F. Fales of Wrentham. Two children by his second wife
survived him with their mother.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 389
WHEELER, DEXTER, was born m the old Wheeler-Horton
house on Summer Street in Rehoboth, May 5, 1777. He was the
son of Jeremiah and Elizabeth (Thurber) Wheeler (Dexter,' Jere-
miah/ Jeremiah,* James,* James,* Henry,* John'). He was a
natural mechanic and, when a young man, made shovels and their
handles in the shop across the way. To give the handles the right
crook, he steamed them and placed the ends in holes bored in a sill
and skilfully weiglited the other end. These augur-holes may still
be seen in the old shop. Here in 1805 he demonstrated the spinning
of cotton yarn by horse-power. Here also Mr. Wheeler made the
cotton machinery for the "Swansea Factory" in the first years of
the eighteenth century; and in 1809, for the cotton-mill at Rer
hoboth Village. He was one of the six partners who constituted
the Union Manufacturing Co. About 1813 he removed to Fall
River and was in company with his uncle, Nathaniel Wheeler, and
David Anthony. Here he built the first two cotton factories
known as the **Troy" and the "White" mills. Before he died he
sold out his interest in Fall River and moved to Poplar Ridge,
Cayuga Co., N.Y., where he bought a farm, on which Henry J.
Wheeler, son of his brother Cyrenms, now lives.
In 1811 Mr. Wheeler received a patent signed by President
Madison for a tide-mill water-wheel. One of these wheels was used
at Kelly's Bridge, at Warren, R.I., to operate a grist-mill. He
also received a ])atent for the bearings for a water-wheel in which
he substituted rollers for balls.
A nephew of Mr. Wheeler, Cy renins Wheeler, Jr., a former
mayor of Auburn, N.Y., received a patent for the first two-
wheeled mowing machine, and sold the patent right to the Mc-
Cormick Mowing Machine Co.
WILLETT, THOMAS, was one of the founders of Rehoboth, as
well as one of the most distinguished men of Old Plymouth
Colony. Born in England, he spent his early years, as did Mr.
Brown, in Holland, where he learned the Dutch language, manners
and customs, and became acquainted with the Pilgrims. He was
about nineteen years old when he landed at Plymouth in 1629.
He had charge of the English trading port at Kennebec, Me.
Mr. Willett married Mary Brown, daughter of John Brown, July
6, 163G, by whom he had thirteen children. In 1647 he succeeded
Myles Standish as captain of the Plymouth militia. In 1651 he
was elected one of the Governor's assistants and held the office
till 1665, when he was succeeded by his brother-in-law, James
Brown, of Swansea. He was appointed as agent of the Colony
in organizing the government at New York and reducing affairs
to English customs, and as a result was chosen to be the first gov-
ernor or mayor of the town, and was re-elected to the position.
The Dutch also had so much confidence in Mr. Willett that they
chose him to arbitrate on the disputed boundary between New York
390 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
and New Haven. In February, 1660» Mr. Willett became a free-
holder in Rehoboth, residing at Wannamoiset, then a wardship
of Rehoboth, but within the territory of Sowams or Sowamsett.
Until recently the chimney of his house was standing on the main
road, near Riverside, R.I., and not far from the home of his father-
in-law, Hon. John Brown.
Mr. Willett cultivated friendly relations with the Indians and
bought the Rehoboth North Purchase (now Attleborough, North
Attleborough, and Cumberland), the Taunton North Purchase
(Norton and Mansfield), and other large tracts. For his services
to Rehoboth, the town, on the 21st of February, 1660, voted "that
Mr. Willett should have liberty to take five hundred or six hun-
dred acres of land northward or eastward, beyond the l)ounds
of our town, where he shall think it most convenient for himself."
With John Miles and John Brown he was influential in the grant
and settlement of the town of Swansea, and the foundation of the
Baptist Church in that town, under the pastorate of Rev. Mr.
Miles, the ancestor of Major General Nelson A. Miles, U. S. A.
After a few years residence in New York, Mr. Willett returned to
his home in Wannamoiset, where he closed a useful and honored
life, Aug. 4, 1674, aged 63 years. A rough stone in the Little
Neck Cemetery, at the head of Bullock's Cove, bears this inscrip-
tion:—
'*Here lyeth the body of the worthy Thomas Willett, Kiiq.,
Who died August y«: 4th, in the 64th year of his age.
Anno .
WHO WAS THE FIRST MAYOR
OF NEW YORK,
AND TWICE DID Sl'STAIN THE PLACE."
His wife, Mary, died in 1660, and is buried by his side.
The City CUib of New York ])lu(*efl at his ^nivo a memorial
granite boulder on which is a bronze tablet in.scribed as follows: —
"Thomas Willett
lttlO-1674
First Mayor of
New York
Served l(>05 an<l Um.
Erected by the
City Club of
New York. 1913.
WILLETT."
(See oppoiriU page 13 1)
WILLISi DR. HARRISON, was born in the Willis house on
Pine Street in Rehoboth, July 5, 183G. He was the son of Amasa
and Lydia (Woodward) Willis. She was the daughter of Isaac
and Martha (Luther) Woodward and died in Rehoboth, Dec. 10,
1890, aged 94 years.
Young Willis taught school in Swan.sea at the age of fifteen, and
at twenty-one tried farming in Kansas, but owing to the warm
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 391
climate and the rattlesnakes he soon returned East and engaged
in cutting and selling wood. In 1862 he attended medical lectures
in Pittsfield, Mass., and in 1865 graduated at the Cleveland (Ohio)
Homeopathic Medical College. After practicing awhile in Clinton,
N.Y., he located in Brooklyn. He was a hard student and very-
progressive in his profession, being one of the original staff of the
Homeopathic Hospital of Brooklyn. He performed successfully
the operations of ovariotomy, apendectomy, caesarian section,
and others. He became one of the foremost surgeons of his time
in connection with the Homeopathic School of Medicine, and
saved many lives by his skill in obstetrical surgery. In 1894 he
opened a private hospital of his own, which he continued until
his death, Dec. 3, 1898.
Dr. Willis was married twice: (1) to Miss Ellen M. White of
Pawtucket, R.I., who had three children and died in September,
1871. (2) To Miss Isabella M. Mirrieleesof Brooklyn, N.Y., in
May, 1874, who bore him nine children. She died at Hollis, Long
Island, in April,^1917. Of his twelve children, seven are still living
(1917). Three of his sons arc physicians, one of whom, Dr. Har-
rison Willis, is superintendent of the Willis Sanitarium in Brooklyn.
WTLMARTH, PASCHAL ELERY, son of Paschal Elery and
Abigail Maria (Day) Wilmarth, was born in Seekonk, Mass.,
Aug. 11, 1839. His mother dying when he was three years old,
his great-uncle and aunt, Daniel Wilmarth and his wife, brought
him up as if he were their own son, making him the heir to their
estate. Their home was the old Wilmarth homestead on Broad
Street in Rehoboth, which has belonged in part to the same fam-
ily since the time of Thomas Wilmarth, a settler of the first genera-
tion. Young Wilmarth was educated in the public schools of
Rehoboth, and grew up an enterprising farmer. He was one of the
first to open a milk route to Providence, and erected the first
windmill in town, used to pump water to his house from a bubbling
spring a thousand feet distant in his field. When he later installed
an engine to do the work he illustrated the progressive activity of
his nature. He was road commissioner from 1875 to 1900, and was
active in building and caring for the state road. As a good citizen,
Mr. Wilmarth was ever interested in town affairs without caring
to hold office. For many years he was an honored trustee of the
Congregational Society, and also of the Rehoboth Antiquarian
Society, which position he held from the beginning. He, with the
assistance of George Henry Ilorton, for thirty successive years
brought from Providence the big tent for the annual clambake.
He served the Horse Detecting Society for several years as its secre-
tary. When some of the public schools were for a time consolidated
he purchased a barge that he might carry the children in safety
and comfort. Mr. Wilmarth was a member of the Rising Sun
392 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
Lodge of Masons in East Providence. He died Jan. 5, 1918. The
Wilmarth line of descent is as follows: —
Thomas/ whose name appears among those drawing lots for the
meadows on the north side of the town in 1658.
Johni' born 1646, who married Ruth Kendrick.
Nathanieli* born Dec. 29, 1677, who married Mary Perry.
Daniel,^ born Nov. 5, 1699, who married Bethiah Wilson Beverly.
Daniel/ born Oct. 21, 1750, who married Susannah Luther.
John,* born Nov. 22, 1773, who married Rachel Fuller.
Paschal Elery,' boi^ in Seekonk, Jan. 30, 1805, who married (1)
Abigail Day, daughter of David and Abigail (Armington)
Day, by whom he had two sons. Paschal Elery and Augustus
Day; and (2) Mary Webster, of Berkley, Mass. Their chil-
dren were Daniel, John Nichblas, Mary and Abby. He was
noted for his great strength and was a ''terror to evil-doers/*
Paschal Elery/ who married, Mav 2, 1862, Ellen Frances Dean»
daughter of Benjamin and Polly (French) Dean; born Jan. 2»
1843. She is a descendant of Walter and Eleanor (Cogan)
Dean, early settlers in Taunton; and of Mayflower descent;
also of Richard E. and Frances (Dighton) Williams.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilmarth celebrated their golden wedding May
2, 1912, more than four hundred guests being present, and an
original poem was read by Hon. T. W. BickneTl. Their children
were: —
Abbie Marih, bom April 11, 1865; married John Francis Marvel,
Nov. 28, 1899. One daughter, Ruth Wilmarth, born July
24, 1902.
Wilson Elery, bom Dec. 31, 1866; married Hattie Wheaton,
daughter of Williams and Mary (Wheaton) Lake, Nov. 10,
1886. Three children: Nellie Frances, born Oct. 12, 1887,
married Harry Webb Standish of Willimantic, Conn.; Jessie,
born Dec. 7, 1890, married Charles Holt Starr of Willimantic,
Conn.; Wilson Ellery, Jr., born Jan. 25, 1907.
Augustus Day, born Feb. 26, 1870; died Jan. 5, 1889.
Grace May, bora Nov. 23, 1871. Resides with her parents.
t'Ascii.\[. K. wrt.MAirrri
JOHN V. MAllVEI.
CHAPTER XV
MISCELLANEOUS TOPICS
REHOBOTH ROADS
The first lines of travel were the Indian trails, determined largely
by the lay of the land. The direct route from Cohannet westward
through Rehoboth must have run north of Squannakonk Swamp,
to be followed in due time by the turnpike. This trail is known
to have passed to the west of the Village, toward Rocky Hill, run-
ning either over it into Seekonk or around it over Jacob's Hill to
East Providence Center.
Another Indian trail would naturally run across the town south
of the great swamp just named, between that and the "Bad Luck"
swamp and where the Long Hill road now runs. Another trail
from the east would come through by way of the Oak Swamp set-
tlement north of the '*Manwhague" and on past Horton's Signal
and the Orleans Factory toward Watchemoket. These trails
would be intersected by others according to convenience. The
leading trails would be followed by the early white settlers who
would gradually improve them into bridle paths and cart roads.
For more than a hundred years, even to the beginning of the
nineteenth century, people in the country traveled almost wholly
on foot or horseback. Women rode to church either on a side-
saddle or pillion. Dr. Fowler, who died in 1808, visited his pa-
tients, carrying his medicines in saddle-bags, up to the last day
of his life; and even his successor. Dr. Royal Carpenter, did the
same for some years. Almost the only vehicles in town were farm
wagons, ox-carts and hayricks, with crude sleds in the winter. By
these rustic conveyances the young people, — and the older ones
too, — often rode over rough roads to parties and entertainments,
which they doubtless enjoyed no less than their sons and daughters
of the present time.
In the year 1826 some men of progressive ideas planned to build
a turnpike running directly from Taunton to Providence and pass-
ing of course through Rehoboth. They reasoned that such a road
would be a boon to the public and at the same time a paying in-
vestment. A joint stock company was formed under the name of
the Taunton and Providence Turnpike Corporation, for which
a charter was granted by the state, March 3, 1826. The prime
movers were Samuel Crocker, Jesse Smith, John West, Francis
Baylies, James L. Hodges and D. G. W. Cobb, citizens of Taunton.
John S. Luther was employed to survey the route. The contract
to build the road was let out to Messrs. Dudley and Balkam for
|17»000, making it cost about $1,000 a mile. The contractors
[ml
394 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
sub-let certain sections to different parties, including Abner Fish.
James Paul, Richard Goff and others. The road was completed
in 1829, although parts of it were poorly done. There were toll-
gates, one near the Hopkins farm in Seekonk, and the other at
first at Dea. Asahcl Bliss's, near the Annawan Rock, where the
old road crosses the pike; but later it was removed farther east
to Walker's Corner.
Dea. Bliss deserves mention on account of his enthusiastic in-
terest in having the road brought through the town, and not only
gave the land through his estate but fenced it for more than a
mile; while some others were obstinately opposed to the enter-
prise, exacting as much as possible for their land, besides hindering
the work in various ways. One man drew rocks and heaped them
upon the road to block its progress. At length, after many hin-
drances, the road was completed and, notwithstanding its many
defects, was accepted by the commissioners.
Considered as a pecuniary investment it was a flat failure. It
is doubtful if the original proprietors ever received more than a
pittance, either principal or interest. For some reason the public
would not patronize it; farmers along the route would go a long
way round rather than pay a cent of toll. The income failed to pay
expenses and the road became neglected and unfit for travel. At
length the charter was revoked and it was mortgaged to Elder
Galen Hicks of Taunton. Later Darius Goff and others petitioned
the commissioners to lay out the road as a public highway, which
was gradually brought about. Before this, however, the road was
bid off at auction by Jonathan Wheaton, Richard Goff, William
Marvel and a Mr. Leonard, who made repairs and hoped to make
it pay, but they were disappointed; parts of the road were fenced
up in 1841 and 1842. There was much discussion whether the
land should revert to the original owners.
Finally becoming a public way, the people used it, but the towns
never kept it in very good repair. In the spring of the year there
would be long stretches of mud, and traflSc was difficult. In the
year 1895 about a mile of the road was macadamized in Rehoboth,
beginning at the Seekonk line and running east. The state ap-
propriated $5,000 for the work, which was done under the direction
of Geo. N. Goff, chariman of the selectmen. Little by little, with
many breaks and long delays, the improvement was extended un-
til in 1908, after thirteen years, it was essentially completed. It
is now a fine, hard road over which automobiles and other vehicles
are continually passing. Other roads also in Rehol)oth have been
greatly improved and will compare favorably with those of neigh-
boring towns.
For a number of years in the latter part of the nineteenth cen-
tury there was talk of an electric railway between Taunton and
Providence on the line of the old turnpike. The citizens of Re-
hoboth Village and vicinity were anxious that the road should be
MISCELLANEOUS 396
deflected at the Anna wan House so as to run through the Village,
past the store, church, post-oflScc, etc. Many of the citizens in
the northerly part of the town, however, were strongly opposed to
any divergence from the straight line of the "pike." Because of
these hostile factions the enterprise was delayed for several years.
At last, under the efficient leadership of Hon. G. N. Goff, a charter
was obtained from the Massachusetts Legislature by James F.
Shaw & Co., of Newbury port, deciding that the road should go
through the Village. The charter was granted early in the year
1898, and so rapidly was the work of construction pushed forward
that in June of the same year cars were running over the road,
and soon a large and attractive power-house was built at Rehoboth
Village, costing $100,000, which was afterwards discarded for eco-
nomic reasons. The road was operated for a time under the name
of the Old Colony Street Railway Co., and later by the Bay State
Street Railway Co.
The electric road has added much to the comfort and prosperity
of the town, its rapid transit enabling the young people to pursue
advanced studies in the schools of Taunton and Providence, and
residents to make daily trips for business. It also affords a con-
venient means of reaching the town from outside, and brings all
the people into closer contact with the larger centers of population.'
Endowed with a fine macadam highway and a first-class electric
line, with other roads leading to the Village in prime condition,
the prosperity of a thrifty people is assured.
SILK CULTURE IN REHOBOTH
According to tradition, several attempts were made early in
the nineteenth century to manufacture silk in Rehoboth. Remnants
of a mulberry orchard may still be seen on the Isaiah N. Allen
place, north of Perryville, where it seems the industry was carried
on, but no record of it can be found. Mr. William A. King has
left an account of the silk-raising enterprise on Salisbury Street,
at the Levi Hunt farm, in 1837-40, during which time he was
identified with the industry. The Hunts had previously done
something in the way of spinning silk in small quantities, as also
some of their neighbors. They had an orchard containing an
acre of large white-mulberry trees, besides a few trees of the black
variety. About 1837, parties from Providence leased the orchard,
erected a building, and commenced the culture of silk on a larger
scale. The second year 200,000 worms were raised, producing
about six hundred pounds of sewing-silk, considered equal to the
best Italian. A large number of leaves were required, and the
careless manner in which they were collected by children, who
' In 1809 and for several years after, the Company's real estate in Rehoboth
was assessed for S80,000: but since the removal of the dynamos, the sum has
been much less. In 1914 it was $35,000 with a Uz of $619.
396 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
were paid by the pound, proved disastrous to the orchard* and
after three years the trees began to decline and manv died. The
silkworm raised at that time was the gray worm, which lives about
five weeks. They were kept on hurdles, resting on narrow shelves,
and must be kept from ants and fed carefullv. Mr. William W.
Blanding, who resided near-by, recalls vividly seeing the worms
on the shelves, eating the leaves and bringing their jaws together
with obvious noise. In spinning their cocoons their motions
can be seen at first, but as they advance thev are lost sight of al-
together. When the cocoons are ready, the silk is spun and twisted
and is at first stiff and hard, but when boiled the glue is removed
and it becomes a beautiful pearly white, ready to take on various
colors. The making of this silk created considerable interest in
the community, and small quantities were made by a number of
families, but the interest died away and the matter was forgotten.
THE ANNA WAN CLUB
The Annawan Club was chartered in September, 1898, by cer-
tain Rhode Island men who felt the need of out-door recreation
as a relief from their business or professional life. A finer sylvan
retreat can scarcely be imagined than the one chosen on the bor-
ders of the Bad Luck Reservoir, twelve miles from Providence,
now transformed both in name and appearance and known as
Annawan Lake. Its location is near Hill Crest, where Mr. George
S. Baker has a beautiful summer home. The Club House stands
on the brim of this lake in the woods, where pickerel and bass
abound to tempt the piscatory taste of the members. On the other
hand, owing to the generous concessions of neighboring farmers,
lovers of the gun may tramp over two thousand acres roundabout
with exclusive hunting rights. Trees have been planted in spots
as a cover to quail and partridge.
The Club owns two hundred acres including the pond, partly
encircling which is a strip of land presented by William JB. H.
Kelton. The Club sustams the most cordial relations with its
neighbors and every year invites them to a clam-bake which
helps to keep the social bond strong and enduring.
The Club-house is of cedar logs, cut from a near-by swamp and
hewn by hand. It has an ample kitchen and living room, while
its huge chimneys, one at either end, invite the cozy fire with its
winsome roar. Here these men of congenial tastes take genuine
comfort. Their number is limited to forty and the terms of ad-
mission are strict. Not far away is the Club's farmhouse with its
capable steward to care for the property and for its over-night
guests.
The Club owes much of its enthusiasm to its several presidents who
have served in the following order: William R. Randall, George S.
Baker, William H. Sweetland, Frederick Hoard, Fenner Peckham.
MISCELLANEOUS 397
THE GOFF GATHERING ASSOCIATION
Capt. Shubael Goff was a ^andson of Elder Enoch Goff of
Dighton. He married Sally Briggs Goff of Rehoboth» where they
continued to reside and where their fifteen children were born»
of whom thirteen lived to maturity. Capt. Shubael died Oct. 14»
1854, and his wife Nov. 4, 1855. In the summer of 1870 the des-
cendants held a family gathering at the Congregational Church in
Rehoboth Village, at which twelve of the thirteen children then
living were present. Tables were spread, each furnishing his part
of the "picnic." It was a pronounced success and the feeling
that it should be repeated the next year gave rise to the appointing
of a committee to manage it.
The second gathering was at the home of Isaiah Goff of Paw-
tucket, Aug. 24, 1871, with a clam-bake, which feature became
long since a stated custom. With one exception, 1877, the families
have met every year for forty-six years with gradually increasing
numbers. In 1915 more than two hundred and twenty-five were
assembled at the Carpenter homestead in Rehoboth, where no less
than sixteen of its gatherings have been enjoyed. "So convenient
and such a lovely place" is the universal comment. At six of these
delightful occasions Peleg E. and Jennie (Carpenter) Francis
have welcomed their friends.
On the 20th of August, 1908, the Goff Gathering Association
was incorporated and the usual officers chosen. To sustain the
interest of these Annual reunions, held regularly the last Thurs-
day in August, the clam-bake is supplemented by field sports
with nominal prizes for the winners. A prize is also given to
the oldest person present and to the youngest child. A fund
amounting to $1,500 affords sufficient income to cover expenses.
This well-known gathering is now on a permanent basis. The pres-
ident for 1916 was Bradford G. Goff and the treasurer James
M. Goff.
It is worthy of note that the descendants of a single branch of
this large family, viz., that of Enoch and Keziah (Luther) Goff,
numbers at the present time ninety-six persons, including children
of the fifth generation.
THE GREAT FRESHET
Feb. 11-13, 1886
The greatest freshet ever known in Rehoboth, and which affected
also a considerable part of eastern Massachusetts and Connecticut,
occurred on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 12 and 13, 1886. On
Thursday morning, Feb. 11th, it began to rain and continued
moderately through the day, but poured in torrents through the
night and most of the following day, melting the snow and flooding
Palmer's River, causing its waters to rush over the road by the
Village mill, carrying in its current masses of ice and tons of stones»
398 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
gravel, etc., wearing a channel four feet deep through the road-bed
on either side of the bridge which it undermined. This made the
stream impassable, so that no mail was taken over to the office
until Saturday, when it was passed across on a tight rope. The
roaring of the flood made it impossible to converse across its breadth.
Practically all the bridges on Palmer's River were destroyed, in-
cluding the two at Orleans Factory. The east end of the mill was
ruined, the floor having been washed away and the sides broken
through. No such deluge was ever known in Rehoboth, unless we
except the bursting of the Bad Luck Reservoir in 1859, when all
the bridges below on the stream were swept away. No mail came
through from Boston from Friday until Tuesday evening (Feb.
1 1 to 16), as the railroads were badly washed. There was no travel
for several days either on the Boston and Providence or the Old
Colony roads. The property loss amounted to hundreds of thou-
sands of dollars. To illustrate the severity of the freshet in Re-
hoboth, some of the milkmen who started for Providence could
not get through, nor could they get back home with their teams,
by reason of the swollen streams and missing bridges.
REHOBOTH, SEEKONK. PAWTUCKET AND EAST
PROVIDENCE DETECTING SOCIETY
This society was originally the Rehoboth Detecting Society, as
Rehoboth then included the other towns whose names have been
added: Seekonk in 1817, Pawtucket in 1855, and East Providence
sometime later. The organization was effected Nov. 21, 1796, at
the home of Dr. James Bliss of Danforth Street. The object was the
protection of the members' horses from thieves, and if possible
the apprehension of the thieves themselves. In those days horses
were frequently stolen and their recovery was diflScult, as there
was no rapid transit and phones and telegrams were unknown.
Within three years there were more than one hundred members*
and the number was afterwards increased to about three hundred.
Any citizen of good character may become a member by paying
$1.25, which protects one herse, and fifty cents for each additions
horse. According to the constitution, "There shall be annually
chosen by ballot or nomination not less than twelve Detectors,
one of whom shall be chosen as chief, whose duty shall be to
direct, order and supervise the movements of the other Detectors,
and these, together with any member who may have a horse or
horses stolen, shall constitute the Board of Detectors.*'
Edwin Darling was chief for many years. For ten years Hon.
Oliver Chaffee was president and James Nash was secretary.
Another long-term president was Nathl. M. Burr, with whom P.
E. Wilmarth served as secretary. The present officers are, Ellery
L. Goff, president; Frank L. Thomas, secretary; Albert C. Golf,
treasurer; and S. S. Rich, chief detector.
MISCELLANEOUS 399
The by-laws, adopted Nov. 28, 1871, required the annual meet-
ing to be held the third Monday in October at the town hall in
East Providence, at which a supper was usually served. In recent
years this rule has been suspended and the annual meetings have
been held in Rehoboth. It is still customary to have a supper and
also some entertainment.
The first annual supper was held in Thomas Kennedy's dining-
rooms in Pawtuckct, in February, 1876, at $2.00 a plate. Re-
marks were made by Oliver Chaffee of Seekonk, Darius Goff and
George Crawford of Pawtucket, and Wm. W. Blanding and J. C.
Marvel of Rehoboth . Along in the eighties a series of shore-dinners
became very popular, and on one occasion five hundred tickets
were sold. At least two of these gatherings were at Silver Spring
and two at Bullock's Point. The writer recalls an annual supper
of the society served on Monday evening Oct. 16, 1883, at the old
town hall in East Providence, at which more than a hundred mem-
bers were present. His diary for that evening reads: "A poor
supper was furnished with tobacco-smoke for dessert." But the
fun wjLs great. Speeches were miide, sparkling with wit, "clean
as a hound's tooth," by Charles A. Lee of the Pawtucket Chronicle,
and by that prince of story-tellers, Thomas G. Potter, also by Dea.
Joseph Brown and others, which kept the house in a roar; the
flood-gates of laughter were open and the meeting closed in the
merriest of moods.
The society has never made an assessment on its members,
and all horses stolen, or all but one, have been recovered. There
are at present 291 members, and the sum of $504.48 was in the
treasury at the last report.
OLD RECORDS
Some of the old commercial records are suggestive of ancient
habits and customs. Business entries running back into the mid-
dle of the eighteenth century are extant in the family of Mr. G. N.
Goff, from which a few extracts are made for the entertainment
of our readers. The oldest of these account-books con^st of sev-
eral sheets of foolscap laid together with stitches up and down the
middle, over which the leaves are folded, this formmg a long, nar-
row booklet, sometimes covered on the outside with brown paper.
One of these contains accounts kept by Samuel, son of Anthony »
and brother of Richard, Goff, between the years 1746 and 1754,
showing that he ran a saw-mill, did teaming and mended shoes.
A few items are culled with the old spelling retained:
"September 16, 1746.
Mr. B. Col(e) detter « ,
Jb s. a.
To two days ox work 0 10 0
for craking of flax 2 10 0
£ «.
d.
0 10
6
1 5
0
2 17
6
0 5
0
0 12
0
5 0
0
£ s.
d.
4 7
6
1 10
0
2 0
0
0 15
0
6 0
0
4 0
0"
400 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
••November 10. 1749.
maiger Philip Wheeler detter £ ^ ^
to fiching two barrals of rom from Bristol 10 0
"June 15. 1754.
Thomas Redaway detter
to three pounds and a half of tobaker
To one days work
To weveing
to an aks half
to my mear one day
to making one plow
"Thomas Redaway Cr.
to twelve pounds and a half of flax
to one days work with my oxen
to one barrel of sider
to one busel of solt
to two brab of sider
to two hundred of ha (hay)
These items show (1) that oxen were used on the farm; (2) that
flax was still cultivated; and (3) that cider was made and sold by
i the barrel. A later book of accounts kept bv Josrah Goff. from
1 1773 to 1776. has charges for liquors sold at the Goff Inn.
"March, 1774.
Bizer Pack (Abiezer Peck) Dr.
for one dram
for one dram of brande
for one dram
for one dram
for half a dram
for rum and brande
'•November 1774.
Timothy Fuller detter
for two quarts of rum
for two quarts of rum
for one clram
for half a pint of brande
for one dram of brande
for half a mug of flip
for one mug of flip
for two pipes
Note: Twenty-six orders in one column include eight for flip.
£
«.
d.
0
0
3X
0
0
6H
0
0
3J4
0
0
3X
0
0
1><
0
0
6
£
».
d.
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
0
3}i
0
0
QH
0
0
4>4
0
0
4
0
0
8
0
0
2"
MISCELLANEOUS 401
"October 5, 1774.
Thomas Carpenter detter £ ^^ j^
for four quarts of rum 2 0 3
for one quart of rum 0 10
for two quarts of rum (four times) 0 2 0
for two mugs of flip 0 14"
Thomas Turner was a liberal patron and paid in making and
ending shoes. For making one *'pear of shues** he charged
) 3s. Od.
Joseph Goff was an all-round man who not only kept the inn
it also a store and saw-mill and wove cloth. His account book
general merchandise (8 x 13 foolscap) runs from 1763 to 1786:
"March 1764. John Davis detter £ ^^ j^
to richard one days work 0 16
to one peg (pig) 0 4 0
to six pounas of iom 0 13
to 200 feet of inch bords 0 8 6
to my mear to go to metten (meeting) 0 16
for my mear to Warron 0 2 0
to weveing 9 yerds and 3 of cloth 12 4
"October 1771. Ichabod Waid detter £ , j
for eight pounds and a half of iron 0 19
for teen pound and three quarters 0 1 10
for three pounds and a half of iron 0 0 9
for three ox shues 0 0 6
for one lether aprien 0 3 0
for one quart of rum 0 10
for eight quarts of rum (three orders) 0 5 0
for four quarts of rum 0 2 3*'
We infer that Mr. Wade was a blacksmith, and like many others
ilieved in license and that rum was "the staff of life."
"June, 1772, Jonathan Bliss was Dr. £ s d
to sawing 8895 feet of boards 5 0 6
"August 1772. John Davis Jr. detter £ s. d
for one bushel of ry 0 4 0
for half a day breaking groimd 0 4 0
for two quarts of rum (four orders) 0 12
for four quarts of rum (two orders) 0 2 3
(1775) for sawing 881 feet of bords Oil 9
for one bushel of petaters 0 12
for one bole of tode (bowl of toddy) 0 0 9
for half a dram 0 0 2yi
26
£ :
d.
0 17
8
1 4
0
0 2
9
0 1
0
£ «.
d.
0 2
6
0 2
6
0 1
6
0 1
6
3 2
5
402 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
''March 1774. Abdiel Bliss detter
for sawing 710 feet of two inch plank
for sawing 802 feet of two inch and a half
for sawing 183 feet of mapel boards
for sawing ox youks
''Joseph Bullock detter
to one apron
to one apron
to one Short (shoat)
to one peck of flax seed
to broad cloth and trimmings
to three yards and half of fine doth and
thread 0 14 2"
Richard Goif , son of Joseph, operated a mill for fulling and dress-
ing^cloth, located nearly opposite the Goif homestead on the eastern
branch of Palmer's River. His day-book shows that he carried
on this business as early as January, 1776, and continued it to
1817. To this mill the people far and near brought their garments
or cloth to be dyed or pressed or "Barskined," a word corrupted
from the Scotch "busk" to dress. Each job is indicated by an
initial letter, as f for fulling, D for dyeing, P for pressing and B,
for ''Barskin," which is usually written in full and with a capital.
Out of more than two thousand entries a few samples are given.
The terms were always spot cash.
"1776. Comal Wm Bullock
f D Clarat (claret) P. 10 (yds)
Lt. Abdiel Bliss f Barskin 7 (yds)
Lt. Abdiel Bliss D B P mits
Caleb Carpenter f Blankits 10;< (yds)
1778. Joseph Goff f Barskin 5^
1779. Col. Thomas Carpenter P old cot
Widow Tabitha GoiT f Barskin 4
Nathan Hix D B P old cloke
Abiah Bliss f Barskin 6
1781. Smith Wheaton
D Sinament (cinnamon) color 0 8 9**
Note: Cinnamon color was seldom ordered, but claret more
frequently.
The following items are from the town treasurer's book, which
runs from 1745 to 1790:
"May 17, 1747. Then reed, of Robert Sutten the
sum of Seventeen Pounds old tener for rent of the
School Land. £ t. d.
17 0 0
£ «.
d.
0 12
0
2 2
0
0 7
6
0 2
7
0 16
6
0 12
0
0 2
8
0 12
0
1 16
0
MISCELL/VNEOUS 403
Oct. 12, 1749. Then reed, of Capt. Benj. Buowen the
sum of £2. Os. Od. old tener for rent of the School
Land at the Hogge Pen Pint for yr 1748."
"May 23, 1749. Then reed, of Thomas Parry (Perry)
the Sum of £20. Os. 0(2. as a fine for not serving as Con-
stable in yr 1749."
In the same year and for the same reason James Bucklin and Na-
thaniel Walker each paid a fine of twenty pounds, which would
suggest that the duties were irksome. Each constable was assigned
to a certain section of the to\i7i for collecting the annual rates,
which until 1759, when the town was divided into precincts, were
of two classes, the town rate and the ministerial rate; e.g. in 1746
Constable Jonathan Thurber's town rate was £104. Os. &d. His
ministerial rate was £73. Is. 8d.
SOME OLD REHOBOTH CUSTOMS
These are based in part on random notes by Dr. H. E. Horton,
a portion of whose boyhood was spent at the home of his grand-
father, Samuel Baker, Jr., on Brook Street, in Rehoboth. Did
space permit, these items might be greatly multiplied and ex-
panded. They were common to many New England towns in their
early history,
r In the matter of temperance, it was the custom for every corner
grocery store to keep rum for sale, which might be drui\Jk at the
store or taken home at the option of the buyer. The license sys-
tem was unknown. In the autumn much cider was made by
the farmers, some of which was made into vinegar and sold, and the
rest was kept on tap to be drunk while it lasted. Not a few of the
men acquired a taste for hard cider and were known as tipplers.
Although seldom completely intoxicated, they were often boozy.
It was not unusual for a tippler to pour down at one quaffing a
quart mug full of cider. In the olden times every family kept
rum in decanters on the sideboard or on a shelf in the cupboard.
The men of the house drank usually in moderation and treated
their guests, including the dominie of the parish, who rarely showed
signs of over-indulgence.
While harvesting the summer's crop of hay, the farmers drank
rum in the field and shared it with their hired men. They would
pour a little rum into a tumbler and then fill it with cold water
from a rundlet, although they often drank clear water from the
rundlet itself. In the house hot water was used to dilute the rum,
which was sweetened with soft yellow sugar and drank as "toddy."
^ The boys liked to hang around and lick out the tumblers.
Some of the Rehoboth men took much interest in fishing. It
was great sport to catch the shad which came up Palmer's Kiver
to spawn in the spring of the year. They came m large numbers
404 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
as far as Shad Factory, and the men and boys at sundown, having
finished their day's work, would hasten with seines to the river
and gather in lar^ numbers of these delicious fish, which they
baked and ate with a keen relish. Some of them they saltra
down for later use. After a time the town each year sold the priv-
ilege of catching shad with seines to the highest bidder, who
would have the choice of spots and invite his friends to share the
sport with him. **No matter how hard the day's work nor how
tired the arms and legs, at the touch of the seine all was forgotten/'
Another delicacy were the herring which swarmed up the river
in schools, even as far as Rehoboth Village, and also up the Rockv
River, and were caught and strung on birch sticks. Each fish
would be wrapped in a corn-husk or brown paper, baked in hot
ashes, and eaten steaming hot, — a dish fit for an epicure.
The grist-mill was an important institution of the olden time.
There were a dozen or more of these primitive mills in town along
the water-courses, to which farmers brought their ffrain to be
ffround between rough stones which were turned bv the big, old-
fashioned undershot wheel. In Samuel Baker's mill-pond at Oak
Swamp were boulders which bore the name of ''one bushel rock,"
''ten bushel rock," "fifteen bushel rock." When the one bushel
rock was submerged the mill could be started and there would be
water enough to grind one bushel of com; in the same way when
the ten bushel rock was submerged there would be water enough
to grind ten bushels, and so on. "The giant wheel in turning
wheezed and groaned and from between the millstones came the
slender stream of meal like a stream of gold falling into the meal-
chest below the stones." This was the old and the ideal way of
making flour, far superior to the modern way of crushing the
grain in "patent" mills.
The average meeting-house on the outside was a bam-like af-
fair, and on the inside naked and bare. There were no cushions
in the pews and doors shut in the occupants. The light streamed
in, glaring and harsh, through plain glass windows. In the wintw
the floor was cold, and only the few who had foot-warmers could
be sufiiciently comfortable to give any thought to the sermon,
which to the shivering hearer seemed interminably long.
The food of the people in those early days was very simple. Rye
and Indian were used more than wheat, and the white, delicate
flour of the present day was unknown. Brown bread was baked
in shallow iron kettles, and eaten with beans or bean porrid^,
and often with salt pork and potatoes, both of which were in daily
demand. Corn meal was also made into hasty pudding and Indian
Cudding, the former eaten with milk or molasses, and the latter was
aked in the brick oven. Pork fat was frequently used for short-
ening instead of butter and lard. Rye was much used both for
puddings and for bread, especially as mixed with wheat flour
or corn meal. Rye "pancakes" were greatly relished; these were
MISCELLANEOUS 405
fried in pork-fat after the manner of doughnuts. The pies of our
grandmothers, whether mince» apple or pumpkin, were thoroughly
enjoyed by the men folks.
Many of the farmers kept a few hives of bees, and honey was
often on the table, and the boys would spread it over large slabs
of buttered "emptins" bread. "I never envied the king in his
Earlor counting out his money, but the queen in the kitchen eating
read and honey made a lasting impression on my mind."
The floors of entry, kitchen and pantry were bare. At the en-
trance to the living room was a braided rug made of corn-husks.
In the living room were oval-shaped rugs made of braided carpet
rags; but the best rugs were reserved for the parlor.
The boys slept in rude bed-rooms up stairs, often in an unfin-
ished attic, and in winter these rooms would be cold as ice and a
thick coating of frost would cover the window-panes. During
snowstorms fine snow would filter in through cracks in the shingled
roof and form piles on the indigo-blue counterpane. There were
no toilet articles in these bed-rooms, and it was necessary to go
down stairs to the back entry and the wooden sink to wash, and
then dry the face on homespun, scratchy linen towels, and the
children would don their clothes by the kitchen fire.
The mattresses and pillows were filled with feathers from the
domestic fowl. The pillow-cases were linen, and instead of sheets
were coarse, scratchy, home-made blankets.
''Just before the time to jump into bed, grandma would take
down from the peg on the wall the brass bed-warmer and shovel
into it hot embers from the wood fire; at a signal the procession
would start for bed and the warmer was thrust under the^ covers
and pushed and pulled in and out until the inside of the l>ed was
like toast. A whoop and I was in bed.*'
The household well, rigged with giant sweep, was an object of in-
terest. It was the source of drinking-water, and in summer it
was also the refrigerator for butter, milk and other perishable
foods. These were let down several feet in pails or jars to which
a string was tied.
Lurking in the water under an overhanging rock, pickerel
might be seen, for minutes motionless, then darting on some in-
truder too small for our eyes to see. "Green algae fast to the sides
of the bucket waved long, slender branches in the ice-cold water,
and no water tasted better."
An industry of some importance was the marketing of the young
growth of white birches. The trees were cut and drawn to the
house, and by the skilful use of sharp draw-knives were made into
hoop stock. Some of the boys would acquire great facility in
shaving these hoops, guiding the knife adroitly so that the hoop
was not severed. Piles of birch shavings grew to vast dimensions
and were used in the fireplace or stove to make a hot fire. Among
others the writer recalls Mr. Lloyd Pierce and his sons, who were
406 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
experts in this work and prepared large quantities of these hoops
which were used in making kegs.
In the cedar swamps lots were parceled among the farmers^
and when freezing weather was followed bv good sledding, the
work of ''swamping*' began. The men would fell the tall, straight
cedars, and as they crashed to the ground it was fun for the boys
to trim off the branches. The largest trees were hauled by oxen
to the saw-mill, where the circular saw would cut them into blocks
for the shingle-machine. The small cedars were used for fence-
rails and oyster-poles. The swamp parcels were without ''metes
and bounds," and it was often difficult for an owner to find his
boundaries. The older boys would be taken repeatedly to the lots
and enjoined to remember their location and identify them when
their fathers had passed away.
Haying was an interesting part of the annual harvest. There
were three kinds of hay, known as English, fresh meadow, and
salt meadow. English hay grew on high ground and was either
timothy or orchard grass and sometimes clover. Fresh m^idow
grew on the overflow ground, and salt meadow on the shore of the
coves and rivers tributary to Narragansett Bay. Salt hay was
under water when the tides were high; it was formerly priz^ and
regularly cut in the scarcity of better hay; but now the inland
farmers seldom take pains to gather it. In the olden time "salt
meadowing" was anticipated with keen relish. The teams would
leave home early in the morning, and the route lay along pic-
turesque roads; the smell of the salt air would indicate that the
camping place was near where the animals would be tethered.
Soon the music of whetting the scythes would be heard; then
came the swish of the blades through the grass and the swath
would be spread out behind the mowers. Nor would one farmer
with his gang of men and boys be alone; he would see and hear
his neighbors round about him who had come down to the shore
on a similar errand, and so there would be the exhilaration of com-
pany. Without perceptible bounds each farmer seemed to know
the limits of his own lot. Salt hay was made the same way aa
fresh, with perhaps an extra turning of the swath. As noon ap-
proaches the mowers scan the sky to learn the hour, and when the
sun is overhead and the shadows shortened there is rejoicinir be-
cause the time for dinner has come and the scythes become suent.
Cold corned beef, especially the brisket piece, eaten with a dash
of pepper-sauce, was a favorite food; with this would be "rye and
injun" with slices of cheese, a boiled egg or two apiece, and for
dessert, doughnuts and pie. Dinner over, the hay was raked into
windrows which were often broken into cocks. All was done with
rake 4ind pitchfork. The hay was loaded on great lumbering
wagons drawn by oxen, to be unloaded into capacious mows.
Pitching from the load was hard work, but the pitcher would have
his fun with the stower by burying him with forkfuls of hay. As
MISCELLANEOUS 407
the mow grew the stower would be brought nearer the rafters and
feel the commotion among the barn swallows darting in and out
and swooping down close to his head. ''The load off, it was great
fun to slide down the mow to the barn floor.'*
Fresh meadow work was not anticipated with pleasure, as in
those days huge water-snakes might be encountered, and be-
sides in some instances the hay had to be poled out to high
ground.
Many of the housewives not only spun their woolen yarn but
colored it. A "blue-pot" was kept in a corner of the kitchen, of
which the chief ingredient was indigo for coloring blue, and sumac
berries or the inner bark of the red or black oak for coloring black.
The yarn was then knit into stockings and mittens by hand or
woven into cloth on hand-looms. About the time of the Revolu-
tionary War, Richard Goff opened a dye-house at Rehoboth Vil-
lage, where yarn and cloth were dyed, and the latter fulled and
dressed. This was a great accommodation to the community aiid
was patronized by individuals far and wide. Here the cotton
yarn was dyed which was spun in the Village Factory, erected in
1809. It was then put out among the women at their homes to
be woven into cloth on hand-looms. In this way considerable
quantities of cotton cloth, including gingham, were prepared for
market, and some was used in the homes.
In the early days social distinctions were strictly observed.
On the one hand were the rich and influential, and on the other the
poor and uneducated. The "grand folks," as they were sometimes
called, were assigned the best seats in the meeting-house and were
designated as Mr. and Mrs. while those in a lower condition (not
slaves) were spoken of as goodman and goodwife (or goody).
The distinction was also evident in one's apparel. According to
an old book of "Laws and Liberties"^ persons of mean condition
were not allowed to take upon them "the garb of gentlemen, by
wearing gold or silver lace or buttons, or points at the knees, or
to walk in great boots; or women of the same rank to wear silk
or tiffany hoods or scarfs, which, though allowable to persons of
greater estates or more liberal education, 'yet we cannot but judge
it intollerable' in persons of mean condition.
AH intentions of marriage were to be "3 times published at
public lecture or town meeting & posted at the meeting-house 14
days. Magistrates only to perform marriages." It was only
shortly before the year 1700 that ministers began to exercise this
function.
"No man shall take any tobacco within 20 poles of any house
nor near any barn, hay cock &c. (for prevention of fires) nor in
any inn, except in a private room so that none take offense."
^ Waters, in his History of Chelmsford, Mass. (1917), has a valuable chapter
on "The Life of Ix>ng Ago,** to which the the reaaer is referred.
408
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
1645.
1646.
1647.
1648.
1649.
1650.
1651.
1652.
1653.
1654.
1655.
1656.
1657.
1658.
1659.
1660.
1661.
1662.
1663.
1664.
1665.
1666.
1667.
1668.
Robert Martin, Thomas
Cooper.
•
Robert Titus, Thomas Bliss.
John Miller, John Pellum.
Richard Bowen, Robert
Sharp.
Walter Palmer, Peter Hunt.
John Read, Wm. Smith.
Joseph Peck, Jr., Jonathan
Bliss.
Richard Bowen, James Red-
way.
Wm. Carpenter, Geo. Ken-
drick.
Richard Ingraham, John
Fitch.
OLD REHOBOTH LISTS
SURVEYORS OF mCHWAYS
1669.
Philip Walker, Obadiah
Bowen.
Nicholas Ide, John Peck.
John Perrin, Sr., Gilbert
Brooks.
George Kendrick, Richard
Bowen.
Richard Martin, Nicholas
Ide.
1670. Preserved Abel, John But-
terworth.
167 1 . James Red way, John Perren.
1672. Gilbert Brooks, John Dog-
gett.
1673. John Miller, Sr., Benjamin
Sabine.
1674. Nicholas Ide, John Perren,
Jr.
1675. George Kendrick, Wm.
Carpenter.
1676. Gilbert Brooks, Robert Ful-
ler.
1677. Stephen Paine, Jr., John
Butterworth.
1678. Richard Bowen, John
Perren.
1679. Anthony Perry. John Wil-
mot.
1680. Sam'l Carpenter, John
Fetch.
1681. Thomas Cooper. Jr., Sam'l
Perry.
1682. Wm. Sabine. John Carpen-
ter.
1683. John Titus, Sr., John Pag-
ett, Thomas Mann.
1684.
1685.
Richard Bowen, Sr.. John
Doggett.
GRAND JURYMEN
1646. William Carpenter.
1647. Thomas Cooper, Thomas
Clifton.
1648. Obadiah Holmes.
1650. Robert Sharp. Thomas
Cooper.
1651. Walter Palmer, Peter Hunt.
1652. Henry Smith.
1653. Joseph Peck.
1654. James Walker.
1655. Philip Walker. Jonathan
Bliss.
1656. Peter Hunt.
1657. Nicholas Peck.
1658. Richard Bowen.
1659. Stephen Paine.
1660. Nathaniel Paine.
1661. Samuel Carpenter. John
Fitch.
1662. Daniel Smith. Samuel New-
1663.
man.
James Brown.
1664.
William Sabine.
1665.
John Woodcock.
1666.
Samuel Peck.
1667.
Dan'l Smith, Sam'l Newman
1668.
Philip Walker, Jonathan
Bhss.
1669.
Stephen Paine, Jr.
1670.
Nathan'l Paine.
1671.
John Read.
1672.
John Perren.
1673.
Thomas Read.
1674.
Peter Hunt, Jr.
1675.
Wm. Sabine, John Butter<
worth.
1676.
William Sabine.
1677.
John Titus, Sr.
MISCELLANEOUS
409
1678. PhUip Walker, Obadiah 1682. John Peck.
Bowen. 1683. Sam'l Newman.
1679. Samuel Newman. 1684. Sam'l Peck, Preserved Abel.
1680. Joseph Peck. 1685. Wm. Sabine, John Titus, Sr.
1681. John Titus, Sr., Jonathan
Bliss.
After that the Government was interrupted by Sir Edmund Andros.
REHOBOTH INNKEEPERS
John Reed, service ended June 6, 1649.
Robert Abel, service ended July 3, 1656.
Dan'l Smith, service ended July 2, 1667.
John Woodcock, service ended July 5, 1670.
Woodcock's inn came into Attleborough in 1694, and a public house was
kept on the spot about one hundred and seventy years.
RECEIVERS OR COLLECTORS
John Doffgett, appointed July 7. 1648. Lieut. Peter Hunt, June 8, 1664;
Richard Bullock, June 8, 1664; Daniel Smith, June 5, 1667.
GOVERNORS ASSISTANTS FROM REHOBOTH
John Brown, 1636, 1638-1655.
James Brown, 1673-1683.
Dan'l Smith, 1679-1683.
COUNTY MAGISTRATE IN REHOBOTH
Nicholas Peck, June 2, 1685-1690.
A VOICE FROM THE GRAVE
LiBet fuggealed by treadinf inadTerlenily on a grave, and written in Ihe churchyard of
Rehoboth in 1^4:
Tread not lightly on our dust:
Remember thou art clay;
A few brief years, and die thou mustt
And like us, pass away.
That young heart, so blithe and gay, —
That light and bounding tread.
Once were ours; but now we lie
Low with the silent dead.
Once were ours young Beauty's bloom.
Gay health and sprightly pleasures;
But cold within the silent tomb.
How vain appear earth's treasures.
Once like thee we toiled for fame.
We sought to live in story;
But ah! transient is life's flame
And fading earthly glory.
What though earth's scenes may be alluring
To thy young, ardent heart.
Naught but virtue is enduring
When death has poised his dart.
Leonard Buss.
410 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
NOTES
William Blackstone's homestead of six acres, reserved from his estate at
Shawmut (Boston) in 1634, lay along the front of Beacon Street between
Spruce Street and Charles River, running back to Mt. Vernon Street and
beyond. Within this area have lived Copley the painter, Harrison Gray
Otis, John Phillips, Channing, Prescott, David Sears, Charles Francis Adams.
John Lothrop Motley, and Francis Park man.
Many of the Rehoboth farmers were active members of the Bristol County
Agricultural Society which usually held its annual fairs at Taunton. Some
of the more prominent members who served on committees, or engaged in
f ploughing contests with oxen and horses, or exhibited live-stock, vegetables,
ruits, etc., were Elijah J. Sandford, Simmons Thrasher, Lindley Horton,
Nelson Goff, Geo. N. Goff, William Blanding, Danforth G. Horton, S. O.
Horton, James H. Horton, Nathan Horton, David Francis, Bradford G. Goff,
George H. Goff 2d, Georire L. Goff. Abiah Bliss, Roval C. Peck, Willard
Short, George Rounds, J. C. Marvel, James A. Eddy and Welcome F. Horton.
Many other names might be added, including names of women who received
premiums for both dair^ products and fancy articles.
These annual fairs did much to stimulate improvements in Agriculture.
REHOBOTH MEN IN THE NATIONAL ARMY, 1918
Enlisted: Clyde K. Nichols, Clarence G. Blackledge, Aran Kavorkian,
Earle C. Harriman, David C. Shaw, Herbert Parmenter, Lester L. Pierce.
Henry Leonard Ash, Charles H. Smith, Thomas Glancy, Louis Vieira.
Drafted: GusUve W. Richter. Charles H. Wheaton, Karl V. Larson.
Robert E. Pierce, Fred A. Horton, John C. Vincent, Aldore L. Vincent.
George S. Magan, Elton B. Hathaway, Arthur W. Harriman, Edward W.
Oakes, Harvey W. Reynolds, Nathaniel B. Horton, Antone Manuel, Antone
Perry, Jr., Elmer W. Goff, Lebaron D. Grant, Raymond J. Zilch, Raymond
E. Gerauld, Wesley B. Jordan.
N. B. This list does not include the names of men who were discharged.
The Rehoboth Auxiliary of the chapter of the Taunton Red Cross was or-
ganized May 12, 1917, and within a short time numbered fifty members.
Rehoboth invested $550.00 in the first Liberty Bond sale. June, 1917.
TO THE READER
The best way to open a new book is to rest its back on a table, and, holding
the leaves up, let the covers fall apart. Open a few leaves at the front and then
at the back, gently pressing open the sections until the middle of the volume
is reached.
If the book is opened violently or carelessly, you are liable. to break its
back.
To cut the leaves, use a proper paper-knife.
When turning the pages, finger them at the top.
ERRATA
Page 42, 38th line, and page 43. 5th line, for 1757 read 1657.
INDEX
Note. — Many names not given in this index may be found in the bio-
graphical shetches which are arranged alphabetically. Names of pastors and
others connected with the churches are mentioned in the chapter of ecclesi-
astical history.
A bell, Robert, ordered to keep an or-
dinary, 39,42.
Agriculture in Uehoboth, 247, 410.
Angier, Rev. Samuel, 89, 90, 96.
Annawan, capture and death of, 81-
85.
Annawan Club, 396.
Annawan Rock, 82-84.
Annawan Union Baptist Church, 207.
Anness, Julian, 251.
Antiquarian Society and list of con-
tributors, 234-246.
Attlcborough Gore, 6.
Attlclmrough North Purclinsc, 6;
Deed of, 45-6.
Autographs in facsimile, 132-3.
Baptist Churches in Rehoboth, 195.
Barrett, John 223, 232.
Barskin, 402.
Bees, 405.
Bicknell, Amelia D., 220, 235-6, 311.
Bicknell Era in Education, 220.
Bicknell, Thomas W., 235, 244, 312.
Blackstone, William, 6-12, 410.
Blanding Library, 235-6.
Blister rust (white pine), 261.
Blood, Rev. Caleb, 208.
Boynton, Rev. F. H., 189.
Brick maker, 50, 57.
Brown, James, 47, 68, 72.
Brown. John, 30, 39. 41. 42, 47.
Canonchet, 78-80.
Carnes. Rev. John, 106, 107.
Case, Alfred C, 249.
Cathedral Woods, 261.
Cedars. 260.
Cemeteries. 275.
Chair, King Philip's, story of, 78.
Chestnut blight, 257.
Church, Capt. Benjamin, 70, 72, 81,
83-85, 340.
Civil War, town legislation in, 156;
Soldiers of, 155-171.
Clambakes. 206-7, 215, 242, 253, 397.
Cogshall, Rev. S. W., 214.
Comer, Rev. John, 195-6.
Compact, signed by first settlers, 24.
Concordance, Newman's, 48.
Confirmation deed (Rehoboth), 91.
Consolidation of schools, 222-3.
Cotton factories, 265.
Courts established at Rehoboth, 35.
Cows, herds of, 253.
Deed of Philip, 55.
Deed of Wamsitta (Rehoboth North
Purchase), 45-6.
Deed of William Bradford, 92-3.
Deer, 104.
Deputies to Plymouth Court, 141-2.
Detecting Society, 398.
Ecclesiastical affairs; Congregational,
172-194; Oak Swamp, 195-203;
Hornbine, 203-207; Annawan, 207-
210; Irons, 210-212; M. E., 212-
215; Elder Peck's, 215.
Education, chapter on, 216.
Electric Railway, 394-5.
Ellis, Rev. John, 108-112.
Farmers' Club, 251-2.
Fences, 21, 26, 27, 31, 32, 51.
Fighting town meeting, 138-140.
Fishing, 33, 135, 403-4.
Flax and wool, implements and ex-
hibition, 238-9.
Freshet, the great (1886), 397.
Fuller, Dr. Samuel, 48.
Gammons, Elder M. E., 199-200.
Garrison houses, 69, 70.
Geology as related to the soil, 247-8.
Goats, 34.
Goff, Darius, 234, 244, 346.
14111
412
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
Goff Gathering Assocuition, 397.
Goff, George N., 276, 349, 394.
Goff, Joseph, inn-keeper, 401.
Goff, Richard, mill for fulling and
dressing cloth, 402.
Grain, prices of, 37-8, 50, 105.
Grange, Annawan, 252-3.
Grass, time of mowing regulated, 39»
52.
Great Meadow Hill, 262.
Greenwood, Rev. John, 102-4, 106.
Greenwood, Rev. Thomas, 95, 97, 102.
Grosvenor, Rev. C. P., 187-8, 244.
Hicks, Elder John, 197-8.
Hill, Rev. John, 112.
Highways, 28, 34, 35, 36, 39, 104, 393.
Hasel, John, 19, 20, 32, 41.
Hill-Crest, 253, 396.
Holmes, Obadiah, 40, 41.
Hornbeam (Hornbine), 258.
Hornbine fruit belt, 249.
Horton's Chapel, 353.
Horton, Henry T., 250, 277, 354.
Hunt, Lieut. Ephraim, bequest of,
176-7.
Hyde, Rev. Ephraim, 107, 108.
Iron forging privilege, 272-3.
Irons, Rev. Jeremiah, 210.
Indians, 30, 37-8, 44-6, 56, 62-87.
Indian War, 62-87.
Labor, prices regulated by the town,
25.
Laws, publicly read by order of the
Governor, 92.
Long meeting, the. 111.
Luther, Elder Childs, 199.
Lyceum, 224.
Magistrates, first appointed in Re-
hoboth, 42.
Manton's Neck, 15, 32.
Manufactures in Rehoboth, 265.
Manwhague Swamp, 260-1.
Map of Bristol Co., zii.
Map of Old Rehoboth, x, zi.
Map of Rehoboth streets, 3.
Martin, Elder Daniel, 203.
Mason, Sampson, 43.
Meeting-houses, 23, 35, 44, 61, 98,
105, 172-3, 175, 197, 199, 207, 211.
213, 215.
Massassoit (Osamequin), 5, 18, 19,
62-3, 65.
Miles, Rev. John, 52-4.
MiliUry stores, 37, 6a 117, 118, 136,
140.
Militia of Bristol Co., 147.
Military company first organised, 38.
Miscellaneous topics, 393.
Musters (of militia), 152.
Narragansett Swamp fight, 73.
Newman, Rev. Samuel W., 18, 48. 49.
Newman, Rev. Noah, 58-9, 60-1, 76,
88-9.
Nine Men's Misery, 77-8.
Old commercial records, 399.
Orleans Manufacturing Co., 267.
Paine, Rev. John C, 186-7.
Palmer's River, 98-9, 100-1, 102-3.
Parsonages built, 50, 188, 209.
Paw tucket, 5, 268, 271, 398-9, 347.
Peck, Edmund, donor of carved chair,
193.
Peck, Joseph, first of name at Pal*
mer's River, 42, 283.
Perryville, 271.
Philip, King, gives quitclaim deed
of Rehoboth, 55-6; makes "his
submission" at Taunton, 66; war-
riors attack English at Swansea.
68; flees westward across Seekonk
Plain, 72; burns Rehoboth, 78; ia
killed. 81.
Philip's chair, tradition of, 78.
Pierce, Rev. James L., 200.
Pierce, Genl. Ebenezer, 242.
Pierce Joshua, made first cast-iron
plows^ 273-4.
Pierce, Elder Nathan, 203.
Pierce's Fight, 75-6.
INDEX
413
Poem by L. Bliss, Jr., 409.
Poorhouse, 103. 137.
Potatoes, 249.
Pounds for confining stray animals,
42. 105.
Quitclaim <lec(I of William Bradford.
92-3.
Quitclaim deed of King Philip. 55.
Ueliobotli. original extent of, 5-6;
meaning of. 2, 27; purchased of
Osamequin, 18-20; first perma-
nent settlement, 20; incorporated.
27; burned by the Indians, 78;
Seekonk set off, 140.
Uchoboth Union Manufacturing Co..
(Village). 265.
Kelics. list of. 237-8.
Representatives to the General Court,
list of. 142-144.
Revolutionary affairs. 114-130.
Robert the hermit. 379.
Rock. Anna wan. 82-3.
Rogerson. Rev. Robert. 175-9.
Round. Rev. Richard. 195. 213.
Round. Rev. Sylvester. 195, 213.
•
Sam, the Indian, 51.
Sassamon, John, 67-8.
Saw-mills and grist-mills of long ago,
204. 273-4.
Schools. 217-18; districts abolished,
218.
Seamans. Elder Thomas, lived to be
104 years old, 203-4.
Seekonk. meaning of. 5; temporary
home of Roger Williams, 15; set
off from Rehoboth, 140.
Senators (State), from Rehoboth,
144.
Shays' Rebellion. 135-7.
Sheep, 249-50.
Sheldon. Elder James, 210.
Silk culture, 395.
Six Principle Baptists, 195.
Soldiers and sailors in the Civil War,
155.
Soldiers in new national army (1918),
410.
Spring, Roger Williams*, 15.
Stevenson. John. 8, 10.
Strawberries, 250.
Strout. Rev. Joseph W.. 193-4.
Swamping. 406.
Swansea, 5. 43. 53-4, 68-71.
Symes. Rev. Zachariah, 49-50, 52.
Teachers, brief sketches of. 225-233.
Temperance (drinking customs), 403.
Thompson. Rev. Otis, 179-184.
Tilton, Rev. Geo. H., 190-1, 222-3,
234, 237.
Town Clerks, list of, 145.
"Townsman,** the Rehoboth, 223.
Townsmen. 25, 28-9, 35. 37.
Town treasurers, list of, 145-6.
Trees, beauty of. 262-3.
Trees, native, including list of, 255-
264.
Trip-hammer, allowed to be set up, 98.
Vernon. Rev. Thomas, 185-6.
Wamsitta (Alexander) sells Rehoboth
North Purchase, 45-6.
Wampum, as currency, 37-8, 44.
Wannamoiset, 5-6, 30. 31.
Watch towers, to warn of fires, 262.
Watchemoket Cove and Neck, 30.
Wathen, Rev. C. W.. 192-3.
Wawepoonseag. 5. 8.
Weetamoo. queen-sachem of the
Pocassets. 72-3, 80.
Welsh records, 53-4.
Wharves built, 60, 100.
Wildcats. 103. 247.
Williams. Roger. 12-17.
Willett. Capt. Thomas, 389; monu-
ment, 131.
Winchester, Rev. Elhanan, 195, 197.
Wolves. 32.
Woodcock's garrison, 69, 70.
LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS
Attleborougb
Attleborough Public Library.
Clinton K. Carpenter.
Elizabeth C. Cole.
Martha K. Dean.
Mary II. Easterbrookf>.
Hannah II. Fiiher.
Benj. P. King.
William L. King.
L. Cora Luther.
L. V. G. Mackie. M.l).
F. W. Parmenter.
Abbie E. Slater.
Lucy C. Sweet.
Boston
Elmer J. Blisa.
Frederic W. Bliss.
Boston Public Library.
F. O. Clark Engraving Co.
Congregational Library.
Goodspeed's Book Store (3).
Massachusetts Hist. Society Library.
Massachusetts State Library.
Wilder*8 Book Shop.
Brockton
Public Library.
Brookline
Mrs. L. C. Bliss.
Brunswick, Me.
Bowdoin College Library.
Cambridge
Prof. Geo. P. Baker.
Harvard College Library.
Central Falls, R.I.
John Cumberland.
Chicago, Ul.
H. E. Horton, Ph.D.
The Newberry Public Library.
Cincinnati, O.
Public Library.
Colorado Springs, Col.
Eugene D. Preston.
Concord, N.H.
The New Hampshire State Library.
DeoTer, CoL
Denver Public Library.
James C. Starkweather.
Dighton
John W. Pierce.
Ralph O. Perry (North).
East Providence, R.I.
Mrs. C. A. Brouwer.
Esek L. Case.
Warren L. Chaffee.
Marion C. Goff.
Lillian B. Luther.
William II. Luther.
Philip A. Munroe.
Mrs. Lester R. Reynolds.
William C. Viall.
Watchemoket Free Public Library.
Edgewood, R.I.
Charles N. Raymond, M.D.
Fall River
Adams* Bookstore.
Hartford, Ct.
Connecticut State Library.
HolUston
Gertrude I. Lake.
Kansas City
Charles L. Bowman.
Lynn
Mrs. Luther S. Johnson.
Melrose
James Cooper.
Oliver B. Munroe.
LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS
416
New Bedford
Angeline S. Goff.
Hutchinson & Co., Circ. Library.
New London, Ct.
M. F. Plant (2)
Newport, R.L
Jeremiah W. Ilorton.
New York
Charles L. Bowman.
Cornelius N. Bliss.
Elizabeth E. Brown.
Columbia University Library.
N. Y. Genealogical & Biographical
Society.
New York Public Library.
Putnams.
Mrs. Frederick Allien (Rivcrdale on
Hudson).
Alice M. Crissey (Jamestown).
North Attleborough
Richards Memorial Library.
Jesse B. Stevens.
Elizabeth J. Wiimarth.
Norwich, Ct.
Mrs. Geo. C. Preston.
Pawtucket, R.L
Mrs. Seth Baker.
Lcroy E. Bowen.
Darius L. GofT.
Ida L. Maxcy.
Pawtucket Public Library.
Peterborough. N.H.
Public Library.
Philadelphia, Pa.
Gertrude McFarland.
Portland, Me.
A. J. Huston.
Providence, R.L
Emma M. Baker.
Willard C. Barney.
Thomas W. Bicknell.
William O. Blanding.
George N. Blisa.
George O. Bliis.
Florence £. Bowen.
William E. Bowen.
Brown University Library.
John M. Buffinton.
William D. Bullock.
Geo. W. Carpenter, D.M.D.
Mrs. Edwin F. Cary.
Walter Bliss Frost.
Isaac L. Goff.
Leon E. Goff.
Thomas L. Goff.
Lillian B. Graves.
Charles R. Haley.
Harriet M. Hathaway.
Mrs. Philip O. Hawkins.
John R. Hess.
Mrs. Constant S. Ilorton.
Prof. Fredk. W. Marvel.
Herbert W. Medbury.
Addison P. Munroe.
Clarence A. Munroe.
W. W. Munroe.
John I). Peck.
Fenncr Pcckham, M.D.
Marsden J. Perry (5).
Oscar E. Perry.
Rhode Island Historical Society.
Mrs. Geo. St. John Sheffield.
Joseph U. Starkweather.
Lizzie C. Wheaton.
Rev. L. S. Woodworth.
Pueblo, Col.
McClelland Public Library.
Rehoboth
Mrs. Saml. Atkinson.
William W. Blanding.
Albert A. Bliss.
Charles S. Bliss.
Thomas R. Bliss.
Murray J. Bowen.
William B. Bowen.
Amanda M. Brown.
George H. Brown.
Amelia A. Carpenter.
416
HISTORY OF BEHOBOTH
Geo. W. Carpenter.
Mrs. Ira W. Carpenter.
James P. Carpenter.
Frank W. Cole (2).
Catharine W. Earle.
Edwin K. Eddy.
Jamei A. Eddy.
Peleg E. Francis.
Annie G. V. Gilman.
Bradford G. Goff.
Mrs. Charles B. Goff.
Charles W. Goff.
Ellery L. Goff.
George N. Goff.
Harold A. Goff.
Walter H. Goff.
WUliam O. Goff.
Lebaron D. Grant.
John Hass.
Oscar A. Heym.
Emily B. Horton.
Ethel Louise Horton.
Mrs. Frank H. Horton.
Henry T. Horton.
Welcome F. Horton.
Alma E. Lewis.
Mrs. Thomas J. Mac Neil.
Lucius R. Mansfield.
Ellen M. B. Marsh.
John F. Marvel.
William May.
A. Bradford Med bury.
Benj. F. Munroe.
Mrs. Emma F. Norton.
Charles Perry.
Aurelia M. Pierce.
Almon A. Reed.
Mrs. H. Emma Rounds.
William H. Smith.
Town of Rehoboth (20).
Charles F. Viall.
Christopher C. Viall.
Salem
The Essex Institute.
Seekonk
Mrs. Cyrus H. Chaffee.
John W. Peck.
Springfield
City Library Associatioo.
Springfield, DL
Illinois State Historical Library.
Swansea
Adelaide F. Arnold.
Harriet M. Baker.
Joseph G. Luther.
Rev. O. O. Wright.
Talmage, Gal.
Charles Edward Pettb.
Taunton
Fred D. Briggs.
Mrs. Frank B. Fox.
Mrs. Charles L. Hubbard.
Mrs. John Moorhouse.
Old Colony Historical Society.
Taunton Public Library.
Tucson, Aril.
Mrs. Thomas K. Marshall.
Warren, R.I.
Virginia Baker.
David C. Black.
Saml. L. Peck.
Washington, D.C.
John Barrett.
Waterproof, La.
Elisabeth Gorton.
Riverside, R.I.
Sarah E. W. Mugg.
Westfleld
William B. Reed.
Rumford, R.I.
George H. Curtis.
Weston
George D. Pushee.
LIST OF SUBSCRIBEBS
Wfllinuuitic, Ct WUlUm W. HiU.
Mrs. Harry Webb SUndiah. Sumner Hopkimon.
Mrs. Wilson E. WUmarth. Edward A. Home.
B. P. Kimball.
Wobom Geo. H. Perkins.
Harry L. BIy. Pkmnk L. Perry.
Lewis P. Bond. Robert J. Shannon.
Mrs. Pred. H. Bowser. Thomas J. Shannon.
Carl Carlberg. Wobom Public Library.
H. W. aark.
John Colvin. Worcester
Mary M. Poucar. American Antiquarian Society.
Lena G. Prench. Mrs. Ernest L. Goif.
27
This book is a preservadon photocopy.
It was produced on Hammennill Laser Print natural white,
a 60 # book weight acid-firee archival paper
which meets the requirements of
ANSI/NISO Z39.48-1992 (pennanence of paper)
Presenration photocopying and
by
Acme Bocddnoding
Oiariestown, MassKhusetts
a
1995
/ "' <
f\ f^j f, i. e f^ r r »-
■^T
' r » *.
f IP V
3 o .', ^
.. •>
f J < . . .
*3 ? • - '
3 2044 024 594 863
THE BORROWER WILL BE CHARGED
AN OVERDUE FEE IF THIS BOOK IS
NOT RETURNED TO THE LIBRARY ON
OR BEFORE THE LAST DATE STAMPED
BELOW. NON-RECEIPT OF OVERDUE
NOTICES DOES NOT EXEMPT THE
BORROWER FROM OVERDUE FEES.
Harvard College Widener Library
Cambridge, MA 021 38 (61 7) 495-241 3
Live Music Archive
Librivox Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Internet Arcade
Console Living Room
Books to Borrow
Open Library
TV News
Understanding 9/11