Bristol County, Massachusetts - Chapter 72: Miscellaneous, 1883

Chapter 72: Miscellaneous

- About one-sixteenth of the population of Massachusetts is composed of French Canadians. Of all the cities in the State, Fall River and Lowell have the largest French Canadian population. Although we lack certain data for an accurate determination of their numbers, yet a reliable estimate may be reached by reference to their church records, the opinions of their journalists, and the last Federal census.

Relying upon these sources of information we may state that there are one hundred thousand French Canadians in Massachusetts, and from ten to twelve thousand both in Lowell and Fall River.

Most of these immigrants have come here since the war. Like other aliens they come to better their condition, and while the majority of them come to work in our manufactories, yet they are followed by a relative number of professional men, physicians, clergymen, and lawyers, as well as educated merchants. The latter, especially, bring some capital with them, while the larger number of the others trust to whatever opportunity there may be here for persons able and willing to work.

It is the opinion of those who are acquainted with this class of people that they are orderly, sociable, and intelligent, and that sooner or later their influence will be felt in the society and politics of this State.

The French Canadian is very much attached to his language. French is spoken in the family and in the church. It is not true, as some suppose, that the French Canadian speaks a patois unintelligible to a person well versed in the French language. The curriculum of schools and colleges in Canada is based upon that of the lyceums and colleges of France, and any one familiar with the literary works produced by French Canadians is well aware that the French language has been preserved with remarkable vigor and purity by all the descendants of the Cartiers, Maison- j neuves, and Champlains. We shall have occasion later on to refer to Mr. Louis Frechette, the French Canadian poet-laureate, whose works were crowned by the French Academy (Paris, 1880).

The first French family came to Fall River about the year 1859, but it was not until 1866-68 that the French from Canada came here in large numbers.

We often hear that these people return to Canada after a few years' sojourn here. It may have been so before 1870, but since then the French population has increased rapidly in every city and county of the commonwealth.

Let us now glance at the social and religious condition of this element. While some thirty or forty families attend Protestant churches, the remainder belong to the Catholic Church.

The first French Catholic Church (called Ste. Anne) was built in 1870, on Hunter Street, Rev. A. de Montaubricq, a native of France, being its first pastor.

In 1867-68, Rev. A. J. Derbuel, another native of France, at present pastor of the French Church in West Boylston, Mass., was ministering to the wants of the French families then in Fall River. He was then one of the assistants in St. Mary's (Irish) parish. Another church (Notre Dame) has since been built on Bassett Street to accommodate the residents of the eastern portion of the city. Rev. P. J. B. Bedard has been its pastor from the first.

There is a part of the city of Fall River called French village (Petit Canada, or Little Canada, as the French themselves name it), which includes all the houses of the American Linen Company, and is bounded on the east by Broadway and on the north and south by Division and Bay Streets. It received that appellation because the early French Canadian immigrants lived mostly in that vicinity.

The French in Fall River have since 1870 organized, and they maintain to this day, various national, benevolent, and literary societies. The most important of them, called the St. Jean Baptiste, was founded in 1874, as a national and mutual relief association ; it was reorganized in 1878, and is now in existence. It has taken the lead in the celebration of the 24th of June, the national holiday of the French Canadians, St. John the Baptist being their patron saint. An event of some importance to the French population of Fall River was the publication in the French language of a weekly paper called L'Echo du Canada (1873). It was owned and edited by Dr. Alfred Mignault and H. Beaugrand. The former practiced as a physician in Fall River for some nine or ten years, and died recently. The latter is the proprietor and manager of a large and successful daily, La Patrie, in Montreal (P. Q. Canada).

Mr. Beaugrand was educated in a French Canadian college, and came to this country while young. He enlisted in the French army in Mexico, and afterwards settled in Fall River, and worked at the trade of a printer until he commenced the publication of L'Echo du Canada. He was very active, studious, and enterprising. He sold his paper to Mr. Archambault (a photographer, now in Montreal), who transferred it to Mr. Remi Benoit, who in turn became its editor. This paper was succeeded by Le Protect ear Canadien, edited by contributors. Before that, in 1874, Mr. Benoit had successively edited Le Charivari, a comical paper, and L'Ouvrier Canadien, which was a. rival to L'Echo du Canada. While Mr. Beaugrand lived in Fall River he wrote a book entitled Jeanne La Films? (Jane the Spinner).

It is an interesting novel. The heroine is an orphan, who leaves Canada and comes to Fall River,* works in the mills, and has two lovers, one in Canada, the other in Fall River; the latter saves her life in the Granite Mill fire in 1874, but dies in consequence of injuries received in the performance of that selfsacrificing deed. Jeanne marries the former. The book contains a faithful description of the life and manners of the French natives of Canada at home and abroad.

In September, 1873, the French Canadians had a large meeting to rejoice over the withdrawal of the last German troops from French territory, after the payment of the last installment of the war indemnity (September 5th). The French Canadian is a great lover of France, which he calls the mother-country.

In 1876-77, Mr. H. Beaugrand published another weekly paper in Fall River, entitled La Repuhlique. In 1877, Le Cercle Montcalm, a literary society, was founded. In 1878, Mr. Louis Frechette, the poetlaureate of Canada, was invited to deliver a lecture in French, under the auspices of that society, in Concert Hall. Mr. Beaugrand composed L'Hijmne Montcalm for the occasion. Dr. Mignault adapted the words to music, and he was also the leader of the orchestra, called Le Septuor. Mr. Frechette, who formerly lived in Chicago, spoke on the future prospects of his compatriots in their adopted country, and recited some of his poetry on Papineau (the French leader of the insurrection in 1837) and on the discovery of the Mississippi. In 1881, Mr. Frechette was again invited to deliver a lecture, in Waverly Hall, on Washington and the duties of citizenship. The audience was so large that many were unable to gain admission to the hall. In the same year the Club Frechette was founded, with the object of giving theatrical entertainments in the French language. It was incorporated in the Cercle Sataberry, which society has given a number of performances on the stage of the Academy of Music. Before that, however, the French clerks formed a society to further their own interests, under the name of La Societe des commis-marchands.

It should be noticed that the principal business houses of the city are obliged to secure the services of French clerks to wait upon those customers who are unable to speak the English language.

There are two convents attached to the French churches noticed above ; they are under the control of Catholic Sisters. An orphan asylum, which gives refuge to orphans of any creed or nationality, is connected with the convent Notre Dame on Mason Street.

There is a parochial school for each congregation, and a commercial college taught by laymen on Bassett Street. The English and French languages are equally taught in the schools, the convents, and the college. A large percentage of French children, however, attend the public schools.

In 1883 the college on Bassett Street, the convent of Notre Dame, and the orphanage connected with it were organized under the State laws as the Corporation Notre' Dame. ,

P. J. B. Bedard, who was the promoter of these institutions, has conveyed to the new corporation a large parcel of land and valuable buildings on the same in trust for religious, charitable, and educational purposes. He intends to build a large hospital for the sick, the aged, and the infirm on the land of this corporation.

A new organ of the French Canadian population of Fall River, New Bedford, and Taunton, Le Castor, is published in the first named city. It was started in 1882, and is owned by H. Boisseau. It is edited in a very clever manner by a small circle of contributors. The title, Le Castor, means " the beaver," which is one of the national emblems of the French Canadians. The term " beaver" was given by the English to the French in Canada as an injurious epithet. But the French, considering it a compliment to be called beavers on account of their industry, have always looked upon it as representing one of their national traits, and hence made it an emblem of their own. The other national emblem of the French Canadians is the maple-leaf. This represents the quality of the wood coming from the maple-tree, which compares in its durability with the enduring characteristics of the French Canadian nationality.

In 1876, the centennial year, the French Canadians took a prominent part in the celebration of the Fourth of July. A fine allegorical car, over which floated the tri-color by the side of the stars and stripes, was filled with personages attired in the traditional garb of the early French settlers, discoverers, and Governors of Canada. But it was on June 24, 1878, that the most important demonstration of the French people took place.

The local press pronounced the festivities and procession on that day as most complete, and reflecting great credit upon the French people. On such occasions the French have orators who speak to the assembled multitude in their own tongue. And if Americans needed that any of their adopted citizens should teach them the true love of country and of republican institutions, they could learn a lesson from the spontaneous outbursts of impassioned eloquence flowing from the lips of these descendants of Lafayette and Rochambeau.

And while the French Canadian is thoroughly possessed of that never-dying sentiment which binds one to his native land, yet he finds in the American republic so much to the credit of his ancestors and such generous hospitality, that he always shares freely his amor patriee between the land of his birth and that of his adoption.

The French Canadians are naturally conservative, yet quick to learn. In the mills they are well liked by the manufacturers, and during the last four or five years some have been placed in positions of trust. There are some twelve French Canadian overseers, and about one hundred assistant overseers (called second-hands), in the mills of Fall River. It must be remembered that the French immigrants have never engaged in the manufactures before coming to this country. Most of them have been born and brought up on farms. Some of these farmers sell their land in Canada to purchase lots and build homes in the manufacturing cities of New England. A great many are becoming owners of real estate in Fall River. Those who come when they are ten or twelve years old can learn the English language well. The older ones do not speak it so plainly, and many never can pronounce it at all. They are fond of their language, and even those who speak English as well as French always prefer the vernacular. After a sojourn of some few years among us they naturally appreciate our institutions and become interested in our politics.

At various times some of their leaders have spoken to them of naturalization at meetings called for that purpose, but it was not until 1882 that a permanent society, called Le Club de Naturalisation (the Naturalization Club), was formed for that special purpose. It has done effective work in a short time. It meets once a week over Concert Hall, on Pleasant Street. All the proceedings and speeches are in French. The members have debates on historical and literary subjects. The club has now over one hundred and fifty members, and the audiences average from two to four hundred every week.

qualified to serve civil process. In 1881-82, Mr. Edward J. L' Herault succeeded him in that capacity. In 1880, Victor Geoffrion (a brother of the Hon. F. Geoffrion, one of the leaders of the liberals in the province of Quebec, a former member of the federal cabinet at Ottawa, and of C. A. Geoffrion, Esq., a leading lawyer of Montreal, province of Quebec) was elected to the Common Council in the old Ward Four. Others have been candidates for various offices.

In October, 1881, a French Canadian national convention was held in Music Hall, in Fall River. These conventions are composed of three delegates from every French congregation, society, or group, and meet annually in a place designated one year in advance.

The subjects of debate are the various questions affecting the social and material welfare of the French Canadians in the United States. Here again French is the official language.

There are some five or six hundred French Canadian families in New Bedford. They have a church (Sacred Heart), whose first pastor was Rev. G. Pager, who died in 1882. He was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Provost. There are some ten or fifteen French families at Westport Factory, between Fall River and New Bedford.

Within three or four years about one hundred and twenty-five French families have settled in Taunton. They have already purchased land to build a church, and have one physician, Dr. Desnoyers. Some of the most skillful workmen in a silver-plating and engraving establishment are French Canadians.

County Officers. - Judges of Probate. - Prior to the division of the county in 1746 the probate office and registry of deeds was held in Bristol, then the capital of the county, now in Rhode Island. The judges of probate were Nathaniel Byfield, 1686-93; John Saffin, 1693-1703 ; Nathaniel Byfield, 1703-10 ; Nathaniel Paine, 1710-15; Nathaniel Byfield, Jr., 1715-17; Nathaniel Paine, 1717-24; Nathaniel Plagrove, 1724-44; Nathaniel Hubbard, 1744-47 ; x George Leonard, 1747-78; Benjamin Williams, 1778-83; George Leonard, Jr., 1783-90 ; Seth Padelford, 1790- 1810; Hodijah Baylies, 1810-34; Oliver Prescott, 1834-58; Edmund H. Bennett, 1858-83.

Registers of Deeds. - The office of registrar of deeds was in Bristol, the shire town of the county, from its organization in 1685 to 1746, when a division was made setting off Bristol to Rhode Island. The registers were Stephen Burton, 1686-93 ; John Cary, 1693-1721 ; Samuel Howland, 1721-41 ; Thomas Throope, Jr., 1741-47 ;2 James Williams, 1747-79; James Williams, Jr., 1779-1826; Alfred Williams, 1826-41; Joseph Wilbar, 1841-74; Joseph E. Wilbar, 1874-83. Judge James Williams, Gen. James Williams, son, and Dr. Alfred Williams, grandson, held the office ninety-five years. Joseph Wilbar and Joseph E. Wilbar, son, have held the office forty-two years ; the latter is the present incumbent. Registers of deeds in New Bedford : Benjamin G. Congdon, Benjamin K. Sayer, Charles C. Sayer, George B. Richmond.

Clerks of Courts. - 1702, Timothy Fales; 1746, Timothy Fales ; 1774, Samuel Fales, Taunton ; John Tucker, signed records of Supreme Judicial Court from October, 1797, to October, 1804; October, 1804, Nathaniel Fales, Taunton ; 1813, Nathaniel Fales, Taunton ; 1816, James Sproat, Taunton ; Oct. 17, 1822, James Sproat, son of the previous James, Taunton ; April, 1856, William A. F. Sproat, Taunton ; Jan. 7, 1857, John S. Brayton, Fall River; Jan. 5, 1864, Simeon Borden, Fall River.

Attleborough. - Rev. Jacob Ide, a native of this town, was a descendant from Nicholas Ide, who came to this country previous to 1645, and settled in Rehoboth, where he died. His son, Nicholas, Jr., came to Attleborough about 1696 and purchased lands here, and some of his descendants remain in town to this day.

Jacob, the subject of this memoir, was the son of Jacob, and was born March 29, 1785, in the south part of the town, in what is popularly called the "Read and Ide neighborhood." His father was a farmer of the New England stamp, a man of good judgment and respectable character, and a worthy citizen. His father's ancestors had been farmers ever since the lauding in the country. He was robust in health in his younger days, and was employed on his father's farm, and was able to perform the hardest and most laborious work, and continued in this employment till he entered college. In early life he became anxious to obtain a liberal education to prepare himself for the gospel ministry. His father had not the ready means of meeting the expenses of his education, or rendering him much assistance in his preparation for college. He resorted to many self-denials and laborious means to accomplish his purpose. He employed every leisure moment in the intervals of farm work, and on evenings and rainy days, in the study of the languages. He traveled on foot five miles to make his recitations to Rev. Nathan Holman, who was then pastor of the second parish at East Attleborough. He followed this course for a year, and this was his only means of preparation. At the end of this term he entered college.

But in his case this was not so great a disadvantage as it would have been to many others. He studied his tasks thoroughly by patient and laborious work ; he aimed to be accurate in everything he undertook ; the midnight oil was no offense to him. His mind was clear and vigorous ; he was devoted to the duties of the moment and persevering in his labors. Hence he became in after-life a close student, a thorough scholar, and a deep thinker.

He entered the college at Providence (which was only about eight miles from his father's house) in September, 1805, and graduated in 1809 with the highest honors of his class.

By his severe intellectual labors for the four or five years of his life before leaving college, his health at that time had become much impaired, and his naturally strong constitution enfeebled. It was then considered doubtful whether he would ever be able to sustain the duties of a pastoral life, but after a short vacation and leisure his health somewhat improved, aud he concluded to resume his studies. After spending some time in the study of theology under the instructions of Dr. Emmons, of Franklin, he entered the Andover Theological School, where he went through the regular course, and graduated there in 1812.

He was installed over the church at West Medway Nov. 2, 1814, wdiere he finished his pastoral life, and died Jan. 5, 1880, at the age of ninety-four years and nine months. Previous to his settlement in Medway he had preached in several places, one of which was Portsmouth, N. H., where, though distrusting his own ability as a preacher and feeling discouraged

He had lived a very studious life, filling his whole career with constant labor, even down to his latest years. The farm which he purchased when he settled in Medway afforded him abundance of healthful exercise of the kind which his constitution needed, and which tended to prolong his life to so late a period.

In 1864 the fiftieth anniversary of his settlement in Medway was celebrated, and he delivered a historical discourse on the occasion, in which he furnishes the experiences of his pastoral life, and which was his first and only one. On that occasion there was a large attendance of clergymen in the vicinity and from different parts of the State, and other friends of the pastor, who bestowed on him the honors he had justly won by the faithful labors of an active pastor for more than fifty years. Several original poems were written for the occasion, one by Hon. Charles Thurber, and another by Rev. William M. Thayer. There was a large congregation of people during the whole day and in the evening, and he received many tributes of respect and veneration from his own people and the distinguished friends from abroad. He remained the pastor of this people for more than sixty-five years, and to the day of his death.

"Thus does the influence of a good man diffuse itself through the community, and a faithful preacher, even if he be an invalid, is a city set upon a hill, which cannot be concealed. Dr. Ide has been an invalid throughout his entire ministerial life, but by his example in his parish, by his judicious and thoughtful sermons, by the essays and discourses which he has published, by the volumes which he has edited, by the young men whom he has educated for the ministry he has exerted an influence which has been felt, and will continue to be felt, in distant parts of our own land and on the other side of the sea."

His funeral occurred on the 8th of January, 1880, and was attended by a large concourse of clergymen and others. A sermon was preached by Rev. John W. Harding, of Long Meadow, in which he truthfully portrayed the character and services of the deceased, and his peculiar merits as a preacher and pastor. The discourse has been published.

In 1827, Brown University bestowed on him the honorary degree of S.T.D. In 1815 he married Miss Mary Emmons, youngest daughter of Dr. Emmons, of Franklin. He left several children at his death. His oldest son, Rev. Jacob Ide, Jr., graduated at Amherst, and is now the genial and acceptable pastor of the church at Mansfield, Mass. His second son, in prison at Baltimore, Md., under sentence for aiding the escape of slaves. He left two children. He was born in Scituate, son of Mr. Charles Torrey.

His published discourses were numerous. In the number may be counted twelve funeral sermons, ten ordination sermons, twenty-two occasional sermons and addresses, and several articles in periodicals. Besides these, he edited and published the works of Dr. Emmons, of Franklin, in seven octavo volumes.

Berkley. - Barnabass Crane (erroneously on the tombstone Bernice) was born in 1744, and was an only child, his mother a widow. He came to Berkley from Sandwich, Mass., when young. "Was married to Joanna Axtel, of New Jersey. He was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and lived to the age of eighty-six years. Died November, 1830. Joanna, his wife, was born March 20, 1746, and died May 5, 1846, aged one hundred years, one month, and fifteen days. They had six children, - Abiathar, Benjamin, Lurana, Jemima, Barnabass, and William.

Benjamin Crane, the second son of Barnabass and Joanna Crane, was born Sept. 11, 1768. In his boyhood he worked on a farm. He had no opportunity to obtain an education, excepting a few weeks in winter. After a few years he became a sailor-boy, and feeling the need of education to advance him in his calling he studied mathematics and navigation. He soon after became a sea-captain, and followed the coasting-trade until two or three years after his marriage, when he abandoned that pursuit and purchased a small farm three-quarters of a mile east of Berkley Common. On this rocky farm of about seventy acres he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. Alinda Crane died Sept. 3, 1854, in the seventy-sixth year of her age. Benjamin Crane died Oct. 10, 1855, in the eighty-eighth year of his age. They had ten children ; nine of them grew up, - Silas Axtel, Benjamin, Daniel, Abiel Briggs, Asahel Hathaway, Thomas Briggs, Caroline, Abiathar, and- Lucy. Although without the advantages of an education themselves, yet they somehow from the beginning stimulated all their children to unusual mental effort. The little farm-house was a house of books and study for their children. Benjamin Crane was an honest and just man, and entered heartily into all the plans of his children for their advancement. His wife, Alinda, during many years of her married life, had the cares of a large family with all the other labors of a New England farmer's wife, yet she retained through her whole life a cheerful and wonderful elasticity of spirits. She was ever alive to the intellectual growth of her children, and very much of their success in life was due "to faithful training in moral and religious instruction. From the little one-story farm-house they sent forth their children.

Silas A. Crane was born Oct. 21, 1799. In 1823 he graduated from Brown University, having fitted himself for college and paying his way through by teaching. He was an excellent scholar, taking the second honors of his class, and for a time was tutor in the university. He became an Episcopal clergyman, received the degree of doctor of divinity, and for a few years was president of Kemper College, in St. Louis. The last thirty years of his life he was rector of St. Luke's Church, East Greenwich, R. I. He was a profound scholar, an earnest Christian, respected and venerated by his people and all who knew him. Among the bishops and clergy of the Episcopal Church there was no abler or wiser counselor. He died July 16, 1872. He married Mary Elizabeth Martin, of Providence, R. I.

Benjamin Crane was born Sept. 13, 1804, and was educated at Brown University. He had an acute logical and analytical mind, with an aptness and clearness of explanation and demonstration that made him, for all who desired instruction, a most admirable educator. He followed the profession of a teacher for many years, was a merchant for a time, and then retired to his farm. He was a devoted disciple of his Master, and in active life and usefulness he passed away, Nov. 11, 1861. He married Sephronia Paull, of Berkley, Mass.

Daniel Crane was born Oct. 6, 1806. He was educated at Brown LTniversity and at Union College. Much of his life has been spent away from the ordinary intercourse of men and business. He has acquired a vast amount of information from books, has a good knowledge of Greek classics, is an excellent Latin scholar, and has read in the original many of the best Italian, Spanish, and French authors. In ancient and modern history, in the English classics, poets, and in Old English he is thoroughly versed. He has stored his retentive memory from childhood to old age with knowledge, and is now as guileless as a child, spending the remainder of his days with a relative in Akron, Ohio. He married Margaret Cameron, of Taunton, Mass.

Asahel H. Crane was born April 15, 1811. He was engaged in teaching school for a number of years, then entered into mercantile business, and was in the Union army until its close. He married Jerusha G. Nichols, of Taunton, Mass., and after her death was married to Asenath Mitchell, of Bridgewater, Mass. He died June 10, 1880.

Thomas B. Crane was born June 16, 1814. He began life as a clerk, subsequently going into business for himself. Several years he was in Nantucket under the firm of Pratt & Crane. He was associated with his brother Abiathar in mercantile business in Greencastle and Bainbridge, in Indiana, during which time he was in California for a year or two. A few years after he purchased a farm near Terre Haute, Ind., remaining there until his death, which occurred May 19, 1882. He married Maria D. Andros, of Berkley. After her death he married Emily Wood, of Middleborough, Mass.

Caroline Crane was born Dec. 1, 1816. She was educated by her brother, the Rev. Silas A. Crane, D.D., and was married to the Hon. George P. Marsh in 1839. From 1842 to 1849 her husband was in Congress; from 1850 to 1854 United States minister at Constantinople. In 1861 he was appointed minister plenipotentiary to Italy, which office he held until his death, in July, 1882. Mrs. Marsh is now residing in Florence, Italy. She was peculiarly fitted to be the companion of this extraordinary man, one of the most eminent linguists and philologists in our country. This intellectual and cultivated woman, speaking several languages and conversant with the literature of several others', has been much admired for her personal attractions, her great conversational powers, and accomplishments. Her many charities and efforts for the education and improvement of the poorer classes in Italy have greatly endeared her to the people.

Abiathar Crane was born April 24, 1819. After teaching school for a number of years, he, with his brother Thomas, went to Greencastle, Ind., engaging largely in mercantile business, subsequently entering into the lumber trade in Bainbridge, Ind., running two steam saw-mills. He also built a large flour-mill in Bainbridge at- a cost of about forty thousand dollars ; but in less than a year after it was in operation he was attacked with brain fever and lived but a few days, dying in the prime of life. As a business man he was widely and reputably known throughout the State. He died March 24, 1856. He married Caroline, daughter of Levi L. Crane, of New Bedford, Mass.

Lucy Crane was born April 3, 1822, and was educated under the guidance of her sister, Mrs. George P. Marsh. She was married, in Constantinople, to Dr. Adolph Wislizenus, at the residence of the Hon. George P. Marsh, then United States minister to Turkey. They now reside in St. Louis.

Dr. Wislizenus is a cultivated gentleman, is well known as a naturalist and scholar, and is a careful and successful physician. Mrs. Wislizenus is an attractive and educated woman, and speaks fluently French and German. She has a good knowledge of music, and is an accomplished performer on the piano forte.

Abiel B. Crane was born June 18, 1808. At the age of seventeen he was employed as clerk in Newberne, N. C, remaining there for three years with the exception of the summer months, which were spent at his father's. When twenty years of age he opened a store in Berkley. He was married to Emma T. Porter Sept. 21, 1829. She was the daughter of Tisdale and Rebecca Porter, of Berkley. During the next few years he was in business in Newberne, N. C, Valley Falls, R. I., Assonet village, Mass., and Tallahassee, Fla. In the fall of 1839 he entered into copartnership with Caleb Bryant. They conducted a wholesale and retail store in Boston until a building had been fitted up for their business in Taunton.

Mr. Crane continued doing business in Taunton under the firm of Bryant & Crane, or A. B. Crane, until the year 1850, when he was chosen to represent the town of Berkley in the General Court to meet in Boston January, 1851. A part of the following three or four years were spent in Indiana with his brother Abiathar. In October, 1855, he and his brother Benjamin opened a store at Weir village, Taunton, but subsequently he bought his brothers interest, and for a time his son Samuel was with him. In the fall of 1864 he was one of the two elected to represent the district composed of Fairhaven, Acushnet, Freetown, and Berkley in the General Court of 1865. For a number of years he was in company with William Babbitt, in the manufacturing of juniper shingles in North Carolina. In 1873 he retired from business, having at that time a cataract on both eyes. Three years later his eyes were operated upon by Dr. Williams, an eminent oculist of Boston, the operation being so far successful as to restore the sight of one eye. From his early life he had a taste for music, attending the singing-schools of those days, and acquiring some knowledge of vocal music. Since then his leisure time has been spent in the study of the science of music. He is well known as a composer of sacred psalmody.

Mr. Crane is one of those rare men in this age whose integrity, honesty, and unselfishness are such that he decides in matters involving his personal interests with the same impartiality as between neighbors. Under the administration of President Jackson he was postmaster of Berkley for a number of years. He was appointed by the Governor and Council a justice of the peace for the county of Bristol, in which capacity he served many years. As a friend to public improvements in the town he is distinguished. He gave largely for the building of the Trinitarian Chapel, and was a' large contributor towards the building of the Methodist Episcopal Church, so much needed in this place. He has been one of the trustees and one of the board of stewards since the organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church. It is over fifty years since Mr. Crane and wife were first united to the church. They celebrated their golden wedding September, 1879, their children, grandchildren, and many other connections and friends were present to enjoy that festal day.

Emma P. Crane was born July 20, 1830. She was educated by her uncle, the Rev. Silas A.Crane, D.D., of East Greenwich, R. I. She was a fine student, possessed of a thoughtful mind, and her perceptive and reflective faculties are of a high order. With a natural taste for music, she acquired a good knowledge of that science, and for twenty years or more has been the organist at the Trinitarian, now Methodist Episcopal Church, in Berkley, where she is prominent in her liberality and in her untiring efforts to sustain the church, and to carry forward the cause of Christ. She was married to Charles Bissett, July 4, 1854, a skillful mechanic of Taunton.

Alexander B. Crane was born April 23, 1833. He graduated at Amherst College in 1854, studied and practiced law in Terre Haute, Ind., and was prosecuting attorney of the county one term. In 1862 he entered the army as captain in the Eighty-fifth Indiana Infantry, became lieutenant-colonel, and then colonel of the regiment. The regiment was in the Army of the Cumberland until the fall of Atlanta. Then with Gen. Sherman on his march through Georgia and the Carolinas. He was captured in 1863, and was in Libby Prison several weeks ; participated in the battles of the campaign in Tennessee and Georgia, leading to the capture of Atlanta and Savannah, then through South and North Carolina. During the war he was on detached service as provost-marshal at Nicholasville, Ky., and afterwards at Nashville as a member of the board for the examination of officers for the colored regiments. At the close of the war he married Miss Cornelia Mitchell, of New York City, July 12, 1865, and has since been engaged in the practice of law in the city of New York.

Samuel N. Crane was born Oct. 6, 1835. He went to Indiana at fourteen years of age with his uncle, Abiathar Crane, and there pursued his studies, also assisting his uncle in business until his uncle's death. He then returned home and was in business with his father a few years. At the beginning of the war he was in Colorado, and there enlisted as a private in ' the First Colorado Regiment, was soon promoted to second lieutenant, and then to first lieutenant. He accompanied this regiment on its wonderful marching and fighting campaign through New Mexico. During the last year of the war he was on detached service, acting assistant quartermaster at Fort Zarah, Kan., and acting assistant commissary of subsistence. After the war closed he married Miss Clara Rhodes, of Mansfield, Mass., Sept. 6, 1865, and is now residing in the city of New York engaged in the management of real estate.

Asahel P. Crane was born Feb. 18, 1838. He attended school at an academy, and prepared himself to fill the position of a clerk in his father's store at the age of seventeen. He was very active, industrious, and faithful, but was only in the business about one year, when he was taken sick, and lived about

Helen H. Crane was horn Feb. 9, 1842. She has had rare opportunities for study and improvement from having been much of her life in the family of her uncle, the late Hon. George P. Marsh. For several years she was in Rome during Mr. Marsh's long residence there as United States minister to Italy, receiving the advantages of European travel and surrounded by all that Italy holds dear. She has given special attention to the study of modern languages, and has a vivid appreciation of music. Since 1878 she has spent much time in Providence, R. L, giving private instruction in the French language.

Rebecca Porter Crane was born March, 14, 1844. She was educated at the female college then in Worcester, Mass., and at a select school for young ladies in Rochester, N. Y.

She is possessed of a bright intellectual mind, and is remarkable for her social qualities. During her studies she gave some attention to music, and having a natural musical voice she became a fine singer. She was married, Nov. 15, 1870, to the Rev. Lucius R. Eastman, Jr., a Trinitarian Congregational clergyman settled in Framingham, Mass.

Fall River. - Post-Office. - A post-office was first established in this town Jan. 31, 1811, with Charles Pitman as postmaster. March 26, 1813, the office was removed to Steep Brook, and there was no office in what was then the village of Fall River until March 18, 1816, when the present office was established, and Abraham Bowen was appointed postmaster, who held the office until his death, in April, 1824. He was succeeded by his son, James G. Bowen, who continued until July, 1831, when he was succeeded by Benjamin Anthony. Mr. Anthony held the office until within a few days of his decease, June, 1836. Caleb B. Vickery was soon after appointed, and continued until Dec. 31, 1849, when he was succeeded by James Forde, who held the office until July 1, 1853. He was succeeded by James M. Morton, who held the office until Oct. 1, 1857. He was succeeded by Ebenezer Slocum, who held the office until Dec. 18, 1861. He was succeeded by Edwin Shaw, who served until March 1, 1875. He was succeeded by Chester W. Greene, who served until April 15, 1881. William S. Greene is the present incumbent.

Unitarian Church.1 - Early in 1832 it was ascertained that a considerable number, and among them some of the most enterprising and wealthy men of the place, had become disaffected with the measures and services of the orthodox denominations, and would unite in forming a society for a more rational worship. Immediate measures were adopted for the incorporation and organization of such a society. Seventy-four persons signed an agreement, of which the following is an extract:

"The undersigned, being desirous of securing to themselves the inestimable privileges of religious fellowship, unfettered by arbitrary creeds and confessions of faith of human imposition, and to obtain for this community the high advantages and purifying influences of enlightened instruction in morals and religion, and of the intelligent and rational worship of Almighty God, do associate ourselves for the purpose of forming a religious society, to be called the Unitarian Society of Fall River."

The above extract is copied from a circular subsequently issued, but our historian has been unable to find the official records of the society for the first few years of its existence. Of the seventy-four subscribers referred to it has been ascertained that the following names were among the number, although possibly some of them may not have united with the society until the following year: Nathaniel B. Borden, Patrick Wright, Peleg H. Earl, Joseph Rice, Horatio N. Gunn, Caleb B. Vickery, A. G. Shearman, Joseph S. Cook, Samuel S. Allen, Otis Lincoln, Ebenezer Luther, Lewis L. Arnold, James C. Anthony, Alvin Clark, Samuel S. Thaxter, Foster Hooper, Hezekiah Battelle, Joseph Gooding, Daniel Paine, Thomas J. Pickering, Thomas Tasker, Samuel Hathaway, Ezra Marvell, William Read, David A. Valentine, William H. Hawkins, Benjamin B. Sisson, W. W. Nye, Charles Pease, James Ford, Bradford Durfee, John Mason, John Lindsey, Daniel Goss, John Bowcock, I. S. Bliven, S. D. Cragin, Israel Brayton, Oliver S. Hawes, Joseph Nye, William T. Wood, Nathan Pratt, Thomas D. Chaloner, Phineas W. Leland, John Chatburn, James S. Warner, Moses Lawton, Willard Winter, Leander Borden, Holder Borden, Abel Borden, Jr., Richard H. Smith, John B. Winchester, Jesse Eddy, Edmund Davis, Walter C. Durfee, Davis A. Blake, Samuel West, Warren Carpenter, Hugh Gaul, Benjamin B. Sisson, William Munday, Israel Borden, Robert C. Brown, Abraham S. Newell, Gideon Hatch, Henry Lyon, Stephen Davol, Benjamin Sweet.

These seventy-four subscribers were owners of property to more than double the amount of that which was possessed by members of either of the six other religious societies then in the village. Measures were soon taken to build a more elegant and commodious house for worship than was at that time in the town, which, after many delays, was accomplished in the spring of 1835. During the three years intervening the society hired for a time the old Baptist meeting-house, which stood on the then dividing line between Massachusetts and Rhode Island, just north of the head of Columbia Street, and subsequently the Presbyterian Church on Anawan Street, recently vacated, which occupied the site of the present school-house.

No regular pastor was secured until 1834, when Rev. George W. Briggs, a recent Harvard graduate, was ordained, and began his labors on Anawan Street. The following year the new building was completed and formally dedicated. This handsome edifice was located on the southeast corner of Second and Borden Streets, and cost, with the organ, nearly twenty thousand dollars. Unfortunately for the welfare of the society, before the completion of the house two of the most interested and wealthy members died, and their property, amounting to several hundred thousand dollars, passed to those belonging to other denominations, several more had removed from the town, and quite a number, during a period of religious excitement, which appeared to be directed against the new sect particularly, finally returned to the orthodox fold, leaving the society financially in a crippled condition. Assistance, however, was obtained from other towns and cities, and money enough eventually raised to nearly pay off the debt. Mr. Briggs, who some years since received the honorable title of D.D., remained with the society until 1837. He was an able preacher and an excellent pastor, and his resignation was received with much sorrow and regret. Mr. Briggs was temporarily succeeded by Rev. Warren Burton, and in 1840, A. C. L. Arnold was installed. His services, however, not being acceptable, he remained but a short time, and was followed, in 1843, by John F. W. Ware. The other pastors were as follows : Samuel Longfellow, ordained Feb. 16, 1848 ; Josiah K. Waite, installed Sept. 15, 1852; William B. Smith, ordained in I860; Charles W. Buck, in 1864; Joshua Young, in 1869; Charles H. Tindell, in 1875; and Edward F. Hayward, in 1877. The latter sent in his resignation in December, 1882, to take effect the 1st of the following month, and at the time of this writing, May, 1883, no one has been called to fill the vacancy.

In the early part of 1859 a proposition was made to remove the church edifice to some place north of the stream, in order better to accommodate a majority of the members who resided in that part of the city. This project met with decided opposition from members residing in the vicinity of the house, some of whom were the most liberal supporters of the society. After holding many meetings and much discussion, it was voted, at a special meeting held for the purpose, Oct. 19, 1859, that the building be taken down, and removed to its present fine location on North Main Street, a proceeding which caused a loss to the society of at least one of its oldest and most 2>rominent members. This project was carried into effect the following year, and some changes made in its internal arrangement, making it a pleasant and commodious house of worship.

The present officers of the society are : Moderator, William F. Hooper; Clerk, Samuel Hadfield ; Treasurer, Edward S. Adams ; Standing Committee, Joseph Healey, James M. Aldrich, Nathaniel B. Borden.

Fall River. - A free public library, where the people of both sexes, and all classes may have easy and constant access to a large and well-stored treasury of the world's lore in literature, science, and art, is the crowning glory of that system of public education which has been, from her earliest history, the pride of Massachusetts. The system of public instruction in the common schools, excellent as it is, closes with the period of childhood. The great and important work of educating the people demands an agency which shall continue its operation after the school-days are over, and when the active duties of mature age have been reached. To meet this demand the system of public libraries was inaugurated, the first institution of the kind known to the world being established in Massachusetts in 1853.

In 1860 an ordinance was passed by the city government of Fall River for the establishment of a free public library, and an appropriation made for its maintenance. A library-room was provided in the City Hall building, and properly fitted for the purpose. The Fall River Athenaeum, established in 1835, transferred to the city its collection of some 2400 volumes ; other contributions were made by associations and individuals, and the library was opened to the public May 1, 1861. During the first year the subscribers numbered 1248, to whom were delivered 30,252 volumes, at an average of nearly 100 volumes per day.

The successful experience of each year since its organization has afforded conclusive evidence of the usefulness and stability of the institution. The number of volumes rapidly increased, and the original space assigned to the library soon became too limited for its use, and various expedients were resorted to for temporary relief, but no adequate provision was made until the completion of the alterations of the City Hall building (1872-73), when the lower floor was arranged and fitted with every convenience for the purpose of a library and reading-room. The latter is one of the finest in the State, being light, pleasant, cheerful, and spacious, and easy of access to the public. The government of the library is vested in a board of trustees consisting of the mayor, ex officio, and six other citizens. The present librarian is Mr. W. R. Ballard.

Hon. Marcus Morton, LL.D.,1 the son of Nathaniel and Mary (Carey) Morton, was born in Freetown, in the county of Bristol, Mass., the 19th of February, 1784. At an early age he gave marked indications of talent and love of learning, determining his father, a man of great respectability and worth, to give his son a liberal education. He was accordingly placed, at the age of fourteen years, under the instruction of Rev. Calvin Chad wick, of Rochester, an accomplished teacher, where he pursued his studies with such industry and success as to enter Brown University in the autumn of 1801, a year in advance. He graduated in 1804 with the second appointment in his class, having the reputation of a talented, brilliant young man. He at once commenced the study of law with Judge Padelford, of Taunton, but supplemented his studies with him in the Law School at Litchfield, Conn., then in charge of Judge Reeves, one of the most learned lawyers of his time. Here Mr. Morton was associated in study with John C. Calhoun and other men afterward of eminence, with whom he formed a lasting acquaintance. They expressed an admiration for the abilities of the student from Taunton.

On completing his course of study in Litchfield, Mr. Morton re-entered the office of Judge Padelford, and on being admitted to the bar showed such remarkable ability that Governor Sullivan offered him the appointment of county attorney, which he honorably declined through his high respect and friendship for Judge Padelford, who then held the office.

In 1811, however, he was appointed by Governor Gerry, when he accepted and held the office for six years. Some one who was familiar with his professional career at that period has said of him : " With the skill and vigilance of the faithful prosecutor were always blended the kinder feelings and sympathies of the man. A love of conviction, irrespective of the guilt of the accused, never was his governing motive. He had no less pleasure in the acquittal of the innocent than in the conviction of the guilty." Mr. Morton was offered the clerkship of the courts, which he declined on account of his large and lucrative practice. In 1816 he was elected a member of Congress, which was considered complimentary to a Democrat, as the district gave large federal majorities to candidates for other offices. He was re-elected in 1818. On the question of the admission of Missouri as a slaveholding State, Mr. Morton took ground against slavery. In 1823 he was chosen a member of the Executive Council, and in 1824 was elected Lieutenant- Governor on the same ticket with Governor Eastis, by whose death while in office Mr. Morton became chief-magistrate. In 1825 he was re-elected Lieutenant-Governor on the ticket with Governor Lincoln, and in July, 1825, was appointed by Governor Lincoln a judge of the Supreme Court, and entered on the duties of the office the 5th of that month. The distinguished ability with which he discharged his judicial duties for fifteen years gave him rank among the ablest judges our State has ever produced, - the associate and peer of Shaw, Story, and Wilde. His judgeship expired when he entered on his office as Governor of the commonwealth, in 1840. He was again Governor in 1843. He acted also as collector of Boston four years. A graduate of Brown University, his Alma Mater honored herself and him by the honorary degree of LL.D. in 1826, which Harvard University repeated in 1840.

Three sons of Governor Morton graduated with the highest honors at Brown University in 1838, 1840, 1843. His son, Marcus, is present chief justice of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts. Other notices of the family may be found in our account of the Bench and Bar of Bristol County in a preceding chapter.

Charles Henry Warren was born at Plymouth, Mass., Sept. 29, 1798, of the old " Mayflower" stock, his father's ancestor being the Pilgrim Richard Warren, while his mother was a direct descendant of Governor Edward Winslow. Born before the close of the eighteenth century, as a youth he had full opportunity of meeting and conversing with many of the prominent men of the Revolution who gathered at the fireside of his grandparents, Gen. James Warren, of Plymouth, and his distinguished wife Mercy Otis Warren, whose lives were prolonged nearly to the time of his entering college. On his mother's side the Winslows were of strong Tory convictions, and this blending of the Whig and Tory curiously reappeared in Charles' character, which developed in after-life a strong tendency to radicalism on many points tempered by a cautious conservatism on others.

Graduating at Harvard College in 1817, he began the study of law in the office of Judge Thomas, at Plymouth, Mass., and completed his studies with Governor Levi Lincoln at Worcester. After leaving Governor Lincoln's office he entered into a law partnership at New Bedford, Mass., with Lemuel Williams, then and for many years afterwards an eminent member of the Bristol bar. Mr. Warren's success at the bar was very early assured, his acknowledged ability and brilliant forensic talent obtained for him a large practice and conspicuous position. In 1832 he was appointed district attorney for the counties of Bristol, Barnstable, Plymouth, Nantucket, and Dukes, and held that position until 1839, widely known for his skill in the trial of causes. He was chosen a member of the Massachusetts Senate for Bristol County, and was an active worker in political life as a member of the Whig party. His quick wit and readiness in debate gave him great popularity, and indicated for him early prominence in political life, but an appointment as judge of the Court of Common Pleas, in 1839, led him to withdraw from public matters. This latter office he filled with distinction until 1844, when he resigned, and after resuming the practice of law for a short time in Boston, accepted, in 1846, the presidency of the Boston and Providence Railroad corporation, which he held until just before his death. In 1851 he again took part in public life as a member of the Massachusetts Senate, and in 1853 was president of that body. Quick- witted, thoroughly versed in Parliamentary law, and courteous in manner, his influence was most extensive in public life, but it was not to his taste, and he again withdrew, and devoted the remainder of his life, until 1867, to the interests of the railroad corporation, failing health compelling him then to resign, when he removed to his native town of Plymouth, and died there June

In social life Mr. Warren, perhaps, achieved his greatest success, for he possessed rare conversational powers, and attracted a most brilliant circle. At his home in New Bedford, and subsequently at Boston, were gathered all the great wits and eminent talkers in social, political, and literary life, and his numberless bon-mots and witty stories are still fondly remembered and quoted by surviving friends. His marked characteristics were a retentive memory, great logical skill, keen wit, and a quickness which enabled him to apply legal principles to cases on trial with overwhelming force, to which were added at the bar an intense devotion to the interests of his client, and an upright and fearless administration of the law upon the bench.

The Newspapers of Taunton. - The first newspaper that we have note of published in Taunton was a small weekly called the Saturday Miscellany, twelve by eighteen inches, edited and published by a coterie of ladies, commenced in August, 1813. The first number contained an "original letter" of the celebrated Robert Treat Paine, just before his marriage, written in the eloquent, poetic, florid style, of which he had a reputation. The editors, in their solicitation to the public, say, " When we acknowledge ourselves a band of females, we at the same time declare that while it affords us innocent gratification, we sacrifice no domestic duty in thus opening a humble spring whence more capacious minds may at some future period derive a more noble stream." It was published at fifty cents a quarter. How long it was continued we are not apprised. The next was a regular weekly paper called the Old Colony Reporter, published by Jacob Chapin, a young man of thirty, and member of the bar, and printed by Allen Danforth. Its size was twenty by twenty-four, and its second number contained the notes on the important amendments to the constitution of that year, the first votes in the election of Governor Brook, the re-election of Samuel Crocker as county treasurer almost unanimously, and John M. Williams to the State Senate from Taunton. In a succeeding paper the population of Bristol County for 1820 is given as forty thousand nine hundred and eight inhabitants, including Taunton with four thousand five hundred and twenty, being then the largest town in the county, New Bedford having three thousand nine hundred and forty-seven, and Troy (now Fall River) with only one thousand five hundred and thirty-four, now nearly fifty thousand.

In 1822, the second year, the paper was enlarged and the name changed to Columbian Reporter and Old Colony Journal. The third year, April, 1823, Allen Danforth retired as printer to commence a newspaper in Plymouth, called the Old Colony Memorial, whence he removed. He resided there fifty years, holding many responsible positions, and died May 28, 1872, in his seventy-sixth year. He was son of Asa and Deborah Danforth, a lineal descendant of Rev. Samuel Danforth, fourth minister of Taunton, in 1688.

In 1823, Charles G. Greene, from Boston, started a paper called the Free Press, which was edited by Theophilus Parsons and Pliny Merrick, young lawyers, who had made Taunton their residence for a while, advocating the election of William H. Crawford for the Presidency, and Dr. William Eustis for Governor, and Marcus Morton for Lieutenant-Governor, who were elected. This paper continued about a year. The following year Governor Eustis died, and Lieutenant-Governor Morton was Governor, and Levi Lincoln was elected Governor, and appointed Governor Morton to the Supreme bench. He also appointed Pliny Merrick district attorney of Worcester County, and he returned to Worcester. Mr. Parsons returned to Boston, and became a very eminent jurist.

vacate, which espoused the cause of Masonry ; it continued about three years, changing its name to the Advocate, and in 1834 was disposed of to Maj. George Leonard, who made it a Democratic paper called the Sun. Mr. Thurber retired and removed to Plymouth, succeeded Mr. Dan forth in the Memorial, publishing it some twenty years. The Sun with its patronage a few years later was turned over to Mr. Anthony, and uniting the two became a Democratic paper.

There were in addition to the regular weekly newspapers the Star of Bethlehem, a religious paper, issued from the Reporter office in 1825, edited by Lorenzo T. Johnson ; a small paper called the Aurora, published in 1829 by H. A. Lowell, a young lawyer ; the Cabinet, a little six by eight paper, by W. S. Tisdale, who worked in the Reporter office; the Village Fire-Fly, by Thomas Prince, a little paper issued from the Advocate office in 1832.

We return to the Reporter. George Danforth, brother of Allen, succeeded him as printer until April, 1825, when Samuel W. Mortimer, from England, became printer until 1827. C. A. Hack and Edward Anthony, who had been apprentices in the office, succeeded as printers from 1828 to 1829, when Mr. Hack retired, and Anthony became joint publisher with Mr. Chapin until January, 1832. Mr. Anthony then retired to commence the publication of the Independent Gazette, with Henry Williams, a young lawyer and member of the bar, as editor. This was in the height of the anti-Masonic excitement, and the Gazette took strong ground on that side of the controversy, while the Reporter was a passive supporter of the Masonic cause. There are many who revert to that crusade of 1832-34 as a disturbing dream. There are now hundreds of the order to one at that time. Mr. Hack again became printer of the Reporter until October following, when Mr. Chapin assumed entire charge, with sundry assistants, until December, 1832, when, owing to declining health, he disposed of the Reporter to Franklin Dunbar, bookseller, uniting its subscription and interests with the Old Colony Whig, which he had commenced on the first of the above month, 1832.

Mr. Chapin retired after his editorial career of nearly twelve years, which he had pursued with discretion and ability. His health still declining, he afterwards removed South to Augusta, Ga., to engage in the cotton business, but the fatal disease prevented, as he died, in the prime of life, Jan. 25, 1835, at the age of forty. The press spoke in high terms of him as an honored member and worthy citizen.

Mr. Dunbar continued the weekly paper under the name of the Old Colony Whig and Columbian Reporter until his death, in 1834, when it came into possession of his brother, Samuel O. Dumbar, and was published about a year by Hiram Martin. He made the first experiment of a daily paper in 1834, called the Daily Whig, which was continued a few weeks only. In December, 1834, the Whig and Reporter was disposed of to Israel Amsbury, Jr., and Seth Bradford, who were publishers until December, 1837, when Mr. Bradford retired, and Mr. Amsbury became publisher.

During the great fire of 1838, which swept away sq many buildings on Main Street, the offices of the Gazette and Reporter were entirely destroyed, including the town records of nearly two hundred years; but the publishers soon obtained new type and presses and resumed their papers. Mr. Amsbury dropping a portion of the name, issued the Taunton Whig, which he continued until September, 1841, when J. W. D. Hall, who had aided him in the editorial department a few years, purchased the office, subsequently changing the name to American Whig, and in 1857 to American Republican, sustaining the same Republican cause for twenty years. In 1861 he disposed of his establishment to Messrs. Wilbar and Davol, uniting the paper with the Bristol County Telegram, which they had published a few years from 1858, and changed the name to Bristol County Republican, which has been retained over twenty years. Rev. E. Dawes subsequently became an owner and co-editor of the Republican, and continues to the present time. The paper is now in its sixty-second year. Ezra Davol is publisher and manager. The Republican is one of the leading weekly journals in the State, and justly merits its present prosperity.

The Bristol County Democrat, the name assigned for the Weekly Gazette in 1837, after the anti-Masonic and Democratic parties had coalesced, was continued by Mr. Anthony, the original publisher, seventeen years, until 1849, when he disposed of the paper and office to A. M. Ide, Jr.

Mr. Ide had the year previously (1848) commenced a new Democratic paper called the True Democrat, in advocacy of the election of Gen. Lewis Cass for the Presidency, and the pro-slavery cause as antagonistic to the free-soil movement, espoused by Governor Morton, Mr. Anthony, and a large portion of the Democrats of Massachusetts ; the movement divided the Democratic party, and defeated the election of Gen. Cass. On merging the two papers above mentioned, Mr. Ide adopted the name of the Taunton Democrat for his weekly, continuing it until 1862. Mr. Ide received the appointment of postmaster under President Pierce in 1853, and held it for eight years.

After disposing of his papers Mr. Anthony removed to New Bedford, in 1849, and commenced a new daily paper, the Standard, which proved a very successful change in his life, and a lucrative business. He continued the daily and weekly Republican Standard, associated with his sons, until his death, Jan. 23, 1877. He was also postmaster of New Bedford four years, member of the City Council and other organizations,

The Taunton Daily Gazette was issued from the office of the Bristol County Democrat June 10, 1848, published by Mr. Anthony and edited by Amos Kiltou, who had served his time in the above office. It was neutral in politics, and continued by Mr. Anthony until its disposal with the office to Mr. Ide, who edited and published it from the office of the Taunton Democrat, becoming a little biased to favor the Democratic cause as it grew in years.

In 1862, J. W. D. Hall became associated with Mr. Ide in the publication of the above-named papers. The name of the weekly was changed to the Union Gazette and Democrat, both papers zealously advocating the Republican cause, State and national, henceforth. Mr. Ide, in 1866, again received the appointment of postmaster from President Johnson. In April, 1867, he disposed of the Daily and Weekly Gazette to J. W. D. Hall, and at the termination of his term of office retired to his paternal farm in Attleborough, where he died. He was a man of rare poetic gifts and ability, reflecting, conservative, courteous, and cautious in his intercourse with men. Mr. Hall continued the publication of the Daily and Weekly Gazette until 1872, when Reed Brothers (William and Milton Reed, of Fall River) became editors and publishers, and continued until 1882, meanwhile changing the name of the weekly to Household Gazette.

In 1882 William Reed, Jr., assumed control of the Gazette, and has continued as its editor and publisher to the present time. The Gazette is ably conducted, has a large circulation, and is one of the leading dailies in the commonwealth outside of the city of Boston.

Besides the earlier mentioned papers there was published at the office of the Independent Gazette, in 1834, a semi-weekly paper called the Temperance Sentinel, edited by Rev. Samuel Presbrey, an able advocate of the cause, which was closed at the end of the year, soon after his death in 1835. The Working Men's Journal, a campaign paper, was issued at the same office in 1837.

In 1840 the Harrison Eagle was published at the office of the Whig, edited by C. R. Atwood and J. W. D. Hall, which closed with the campaign after six months' service in the Republican cause, when Gen. Harrison carried nearly all the States. Another temperance paper, the Dew Drop, was published in 1843 by B. W. Williams, edited by himself and lady \ friends, which continued four or five years, and was i then merged in a Worcester paper. In 1844 a paper called the Beacon of Liberty, in advocacy of the anti- ; slavery party, was published by Hack & Bradbury, edited by Hodges Reed and other friends of the cause, continuing about two years.

The Old Colony Republican, a weekly Whig paper, was also issued in 1846 from the office of Hack, King & Howard, edited by C. I. Reed, B. F. Presbrey, and others. Mr. Howard retiring, Hack & King continued the paper about two years, closing in 1848, i after the election of Gen. Taylor to the Presidency. A small paper called the Temperance Advocate was also published about six months, edited by Rev. S.

Taunton. - A. Field & Sons' Nail- and Tack- Works are among the largest establishments of the kind in the United States. After the removal of the originators of the Britannia Works from Deacon Ballard's fulling-mill, which stood on the site of the present capacious tack and nail manufactory of the above company off Spring Street, Albert Field in 1827 hired a small room of his friend Ballard. With two machines, prepared by Elijah Caswell, his faithful and ingenious mechanical assistant for fifty years, commenced his humble trade. He had previously, while at work at Hopewell Mills at five shillings a day, gained a little insight to the business of making brads and nails. From that humble beginning Mr. Field went on enlarging from year to year, extending his business and field of customers until the buildings are over one thousand feet in length, and the works and appurtenances cover an area of two acres. The company manufacture two thousand five hundred kinds of tacks, nails, etc., consume about three thousand tons of nail-plates, some thirty tons of copper and steel plates, one hundred tons of zinc and yellowmetal stock, which are converted into thirty thousand or more kinds, or thirty millions of eyelets, tacks, and nails daily.

William R. Potter, formerly of the firm of Bartlett & Potter, which was dissolved by the death of Capt. Bartlett in 1864, has a brick mill on Porter Street for the manufacture of cotton yarn, which he has followed successfully about ten years. He has also a machine-shop and foundry ; capital, $10,000.

M. M. Rhodes & Sons, manufacturers of shoebuttons, have a spacious and convenient brick manufactory on Porter Street, where they make buttons on an extensive scale. They commenced business in 1871, and employ a capital of thirty-three thousand five hundred dollars. ,

Taunton Fire Department. - The fire department of Taunton compares favorably with that of any other city in the State, and for promptness and efficiency cannot be excelled. The fire district was organized before the city government existed. The chief engineers since its organization are as follows :

The first being Samuel O. Dunbar, now an octogenarian, serving three years, succeeded by Lovett Morse in 1847, one year; A. E. Swasey, 1848, one year; William Mason, from 1849 to 1855; Francis Tisdale, from 1855 to 1857 ; Abram Briggs, from 1857 to 1858 ; William Mason, from 1858 to 1861 ; Edward Mott, from 1801 to 1881, twenty years ; Abner Coleman, from 1881, at present serving.

The department has four steamers, a hook-and-ladder company, six hose-reels, two hand engines, and a competent force of men. They have the great aid and facility for extinguishing fires in nearly four hundred hydrants of our Taunton Water- Works.

The Southern Massachusetts Telephone Company was organized in 1877. There are two hundred and ten subscribers, besides sixty telephones on private lines ; connections with Boston, Providence, New Bedford, Fall River, Brockton, and several other places. Abner Coleman is superintendent.

The Agassiz Association is devoted to the study of the natural sciences, and made up largely of young persons connected with the academy and high school, although Rev. Dr. Blake and some other adults belong. Mrs. C. F. Hanscom is president. Miss Annie Dean, Miss Parthia Crocker, Frank Lothrop, Harrie White, Frank Dickerman, Fred Skinner, and Harry Southworth are prominent members.

There are two co-operative saving fund and loan associations, - one is called the Mechanics', Elijah Tolman president, and Charles L. Lovering treasurer ; the other, called the Taunton, Henry M. Lovering president, and Charles Foster treasurer, - institutions which have encouraged and helped many to make for themselves pleasant homes.

Among the industrial enterprises worthy of notice is that of George Williams & Sons, in the lumber and steam planing-mill line, the former successor to his father, Capt. Abiather Williams, one of the pioneers in the lumber business sixty years ago; they not only provide lumber for public uses, but build a number of buildings annually, for tenantry, of handsome architectural finish ; not cheap tenement houses ; employing a capital of $100,000 or more ; they have already over twenty dwellings.

L. B. West & Co., also an enterprising firm in the manufacture of stoves and tinware, employ a capital of $10,000 in trade, and Mr. West is president of one of the large foundry companies.

Brownell & Burt, a young enterprising firm in the manufacture of carriages, employ a capital of $10,000, and have a spacious manufactory on Washington Street.

Peck & White also do a large business as builders of carriages, employing a capital of $25,000, and have a smithery in connection on Weir Street.

The Bristol County Agricultural Society was organized at a meeting held at Atwood's Hotel, in Taunton, June 21, 1820, by a few friends gathered from various towns in the county. A constitution was adopted providing for a choice of officers, life membership, and other matters. Samuel Crocker, of Taunton, Otis Thompson, of Rehoboth, and Thomas Kinnicut, of Seekonk, were chosen a committee to transact the business in maturing the society, and an address was issued setting forth its objects.

The annual meeting was held in October, but there not being a sufficient number to authorize a choice of officers, that was deferred to the next annual meeting in October, 1821. Hon. Samuel Crocker was elected president; Rev. Otis Thompson, Rev. Pitt Clark, of

Norton, Nathaniel Morton, of Freetown, and Thomas Almy, of Dartmouth, vice-presidents ; Horatio Leonard, of Raynham, recording secretary ; James L. Hodges, of Taunton, corresponding secretary ; Peter Thatcher, treasurer. Hon. Francis Baylies, Samuel Crocker, and James L. Hodges were appointed to select agents to visit the several towns to solicit names and aid in behalf of the society. The term of life membership was established at five dollars. An urgent appeal was made to the farmers, manufacturers, and artisans of Bristol County to aid in building up the society.

At a meeting in April, 1822, the soliciting committee was enlarged to one in each town ; also a committee to apply for an act of incorporation and make arrangements for an exhibition the ensuing fall. The annual meeting was held in October, 1822, but the requisite sum - one thousand dollars - not having been raised, the exhibition was postponed another year.

An address was delivered by Rev. Otis Thompson, and the members partook of a dinner at Sturtevant's Hotel. The officers were re-elected with one exception (Mr. Morton), and the soliciting committee reported that eight hundred dollars had been raised. In April, 1823, at a special meeting, it was announced that a fund of one thousand dollars had been raised. It was then voted to hold a public exhibition the ensuing October, and a list of premiums was prepared for the coming festival.

"Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Refiresentatives in General Court assembled, That Samuel Crocker, Alban Cobb, David G. W. Cobb, James L. Hodges, Luther Hamilton, Jesse Smith, Jr., Dan. Wilmarth (of Taunton), Pitt Clark (of Norton), Horatio Leonard (of Raynham), Peter Thacher (of Attleborough), Roland Howard (of Easton), Asahel Bliss (of Rehoboth), with such others as are now associated, or hereafter may associate with them, and their successors, be and they are hereby made a corporation by the name of the Bristol County Agricultural Society, and for this purpose shall have the same powers and privileges and be subject to like duties and restrictions as other incorporated agricultural societies in this commonwealth. And the said corporation may lawfully hold and possess real estate not exceeding twenty thousand dollars, and personal estate the annual income from which shall not exceed five thousand dollars. Also to have power to sell, alien, and dispose of the same estate, real or personal, not using the same for trade or commerce."

The second section provided that Samuel Crocker, of Taunton, be authorized to notify and call the first meeting of said society for the purpose of organization, establishing rules, etc., which was done, and the first annual exhibition was held Oct. 21, 1823, with a success which augured well for its permanence. Thus, after three years' delay, perseverance, and energy of the fast friends of agricultural progress, manufacturing enterprise, and mechanical arts, the Bristol County Agricultural Society was organized, the fifth in the State. In looking over the long list of names of the originators, officers, and incorporators of the society who fostered its interests in its infancy, fifty years ago, not one is now living.

The society in its early years bore a strange contrast with its present magnitude in receipts, expenditures, and emoluments. Its meetings were frequently held in sitting-rooms of members or anterooms of hotels.

At the first annual exhibition, in 1823, the amount of premiums was $161, and total expenses $200. Its capital was $1100. Ten years afterwards, in 1838, the society still laboring in its infancy, the amount of premiums awarded, $260; expenses, including premiums, $335 ; its capital, $1600 ; and drawing the State bounty, $340 (this was reduced a few years later to $315) ; total amount of premiums awarded the first ten years was only $2600 ; aggregate received from the State, $2950.

A decade later, in 1843 (with twenty years of struggling existence), the premiums had increased to only $283, its fund not largely increased, the State bounty being only $380. The expenses had increased in the same ratio, consequently its condition had not much improved by age.

At this time there were no receipts from exhibitions, no trotting-course belonging to the society, although there might have been some swapping horses at its gatherings. The old town hall, or perchance a school-house, in the various towns, was opened with a little array of counterpanes, bed-quilts, homespun webs of woolen and flaxen fabrics, and some choice exhibitions of needlework, presented by the industrious wives and daughters, to show what could be done in the homes of old Bristol. There were rivalries in those days in the manufacture and style of bonnets, as there ever will be. It was in the day of the celebrated Leghorn hat. Awards were made year after year of six and four dollars to ladies who were so expert with fingers and needle as to make a straw bonnet rival an imported Leghorn, and those straw hats were worn with more conscious pride than the ten-dollar Leghorn, then at such an enormous price that few could purchase. A few agricultural products, a tub or two of butter, a few cheeses, and a few pounds of honey, chiefly made up what was then termed an agricultural hall exhibition. No fee was asked to witness these contributions, all were invited to come and examine, and a modest award, or a complimentary "remark of excellence," was all the contributors anticipated. There were, outside of the hall, a dozen pens of cattle, " natives," horses, swine, and sheep, but nothing towards making a splendid poultry show like that of modern days. The ruling price was then twenty-five to fifty cents for the best fowls, now twenty-five to fifty dollars for a " choice pair of birds," and, with a fancy pedigree, sometimes of such perfection (Mr. Williams' birds, for instance) as to bring one hundred to one hundred and fifty dollars per trio. The price of a fine colt rarely exceeded one hundred dollars, while at the present day the best bloods range from five hundred to five thousand dollars. The price of a good cow was then fifty dollars ; now the choice breeds - Durhams, Ayrshires, Devons, and Jerseys - range from one hundred to five thousand dollars, not to refer to the fabulous prices of imported breeds with pedigrees traced back to Noah's ark.

During the first ten years, with a single exception, the society held its exhibitions in Taunton. It afterwards became a portable institution. In 1834 it was held in Attleborough ; in 1835 in Mansfield. In 1837 it returned to Taunton in not a very prosperous condition. In 1838 it was again held in Mansfield; 1839 in Taunton ; 1840 in Attleborough. The State bounty was $314, and the expenses full up to the entire income. Serious considerations were entertained of relinquishing the charter, but the advice of firm friends and supporters who had a pride in sustaining the society prevailed, and for several years exhibitions were held in Taunton. In subsequent years it resumed its peregrinations, - to New Bedford in 1854-55, to Fall River in 1856-57, and each year returning with an increased membership but an exhausted treasury. The society, with no local habitation, had no special interests nor property to hold it together and make it thrive. Its fund was the small gratuity from the State and the occasional aid of memberships, having no convenient arrangements for exhibiting articles of mechanical ingenuity and manufacturing enterprise.

The treasurer and other friends of the institution believed that it could be made prosperous, raised its fund by increasing its membership and by contributions to $2500, producing a corresponding increase of State bounty. In 1853 the fund was increased to $3000, and State bounty at $600, where it has since remained as a permanent resource.

In 1858 a vote was passed to locate permanently and take a position like kindred societies. In 1859-60 the present location was purchased for $5000, and spacious buildings erected, since which time, notwithstanding large outlays year after year for buildings and additional purchases of territory have been demanded by its increasing exhibitors and patrons in the various departments, the society has grown and prospered, and now stands without a rival in extent of receipts and number of visitors, exceeding twelve thousand on the festival days. On its fiftieth anniversary exhibition its receipts exceeded $11,600, in 1874 about the same, and its net profits would have paid the entire expenses of the first ten or twelve years of its existence when a portable institution.

-At the annual exhibitions for twenty years past the income has been from seven to ten thousand dollars, exceeding the expenses, and many years a profit of one thousand to three thousand dollars. In 1874, William Mason, then president, presented to the society a band and judge's stand. In 1882 a grand stand was erected to hold and protect three thousand visitors from sun or rain. Its agricultural hall and stables are spacious and convenient. Its grounds and track are kept in improving order, raising annually more hay and grain than is consumed here. The water is of the best quality. Improvements are annually made for the benefit of visitors, and good order prevails on the grounds.

Seventh Massachusetts Volunteers

exp. of service. Charles Quiun, must, in June 15, 1861 ; disch. by President's proclamation. Thomas Quinn, must in June 15, 1861 ; disch. Sept. 22, 1861, for disability. Michael Rooney, must, in June 15, 1861; disch. by President's proclamation. Daniel Ruby, must, in June 15, 1861; disch. by President's proclamation. Bryant Ryan, must, in June 15, 1861 ; disch. by President's proclamation. George R. Stanly, must, in July 1, 1861 ; disch. Sept. 22, 1862, for disability. Wm. H. Staples, must, in July 11, 1861 ; disch. June 27, 1864, at exp. of of service. John White, must, in Aug. 19, 1863; disch. May 25, 1865, for disability. Jonah Francis, must, in Aug. 14, 1863; disch. by President's proclamation.

Twelfth Massachusetts Volunteers Thirteenth Massachusetts Volunteers

THIRTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. George King, Co. B; must, in July 25, 1863; disch. by President's proclamation. Henry Cbace, Co. C; must, in July 25,1863; disch. Oct. 29, 1863, for

Twenty-Eighth Massachusetts Volunteers

Wilderness, Va. John Smith, Co. B ; must, in March 9, 1864 ; missing since May 5, 1864. George Morris, Co. D; must, in March 10,1864; absent (wounded) since exp. of service. Michael Birmingham, Co. C; must, in Feb. 16, 1864; disch. by President's proclamation. William Jones, Co. C; must, in Aug. 4, 1863; disch. June 29, 1865, at

Sixty-Second Massachusetts Volunteers

New Bedford Fire Department. - The force of this department consists of one chief, four assistant engineers and clerk, twelve men permanently employed, and one hundred and thirty-two call members, twenty-two of whom are attached to No. 9 at the Head of the River, making a total of one hundred and fifty men.

Onward Steam Fire Engine Company, No. 1. - House on Purchase Street, foot of Franklin Street. Engine built by Amoskeag Manufacturing Company, Manchester, N. H. ; capacity, 500 gallons per minute ; weight of engine, as drawn to fires, 6950 pounds ; weight of hose-carriage, with 1050 feet of Boyd's cotton hose, 2850 pounds ; put into service Aug. 26, 1869. Company organized Jan. 1, 1870. Allen W. Tinkham, foreman; Henry J. O'Neal, first assistant; Harris N. Tinkham, second assistant ; Eben C. Milliken, clerk.

Progress Steam Fire Engine Company, No. 2. - House corner Purchase Street and Mechanic's Lane. Engine built by the Silsby Manufacturing Company, Seneca Falls, N. Y. ; capacity, 600 gallons per minute; weight of engine, as drawn to fires, 6800 pounds ; weight of hose-carriage, with 1050 feet Boyd's cotton hose, 2850 pounds ; put in commission Sept. 4, 1879. Company organized Oct. 27, 1860. Charles S. Paisler, foreman ; John Downey, first assistant ; John H. Dollard, second assistant; James D. Allen, clerk.

Cornelius Howland Steam Fire Engine Company, No. 4. - House corner Sixth and Bedford Streets. Engine built by the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company, Manchester, N. H. ; capacity, 600 gallons per minute; weight of engine, as drawn to fires, 8550 pounds ; weight of hose-carriage, with 1050 feet Boyd's cotton hose, 2850 pounds ; put into service Feb. 1, 1867. Company organized Feb. 1, 1867. Henry A. Gray, foreman ; Edgar S. Gilbert, first assistant; Benjamin F. Hinkley, second assistant; William A. Gibbs, clerk.

Zachariah Hillman Steam Fire Engine Company, No. 5. - House corner of County and Hillman Streets. Engine built by Messrs. Clapp & Jones, Hudson, N. Y. ; capacity, 500 gallons per minute ; weight of engine, as drawn to fires, 7250 pounds; weight of hose-carriage, with 1050 feet Boyd's cotton hose, 2850 pounds ; put into service Dec. 13, 1873. Company organized Dec. 13, 1873. Robert S. Lawton, foreman; William T. King, first assistant; Isaiah H. Wilcox, second assistant; O. Frank Bly, clerk.

Frederick Macy Steam Fire Engine Company, No. 6. - House on Fourth Street, head of Potomska Street. Engine built by Amoskeag Manufacturing Company, Manchester, N. H.; capacity, 500 gallons per minute; weight of engine, as drawn to fires, 7100 pounds; weight of hose-carriage, with 1050 feet Boyd's cotton hose, 2850 pounds ; put into service Nov. 1, 1882. Company organized Oct. 31, 1882. George W. Parker, foreman ; Herbert B. Gardner, first assistant ; Felix Cavenagh, second assistant ; George S. Hoyt, clerk.

Franklin Hose Company, No. 1. - House corner of Purchase Street and Mechanic's Lane. Carriage built by the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company, Manchester, N. H. ; weight of carriage and 900 feet vulcanized rubber hose, 2790 pounds ; put into service Jan. 1, 1872. Company organized Dec. 31, 1871. David W. Howland, foreman; Daniel H. Burns, first assistant; Thomas B. Rowe, second assistant ; James S. Hathaway, clerk.

Pioneer Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1. - House corner Purchase Street and Mechanic's Lane. Carriage built by Joseph T. Kyan, of Boston ; put into commission Aug. 4, 1877. Lysander W. Davis, foreman; Charles J. Johnson, first assistant; James Conway, second assistant ; Charles E. Pierce, clerk.

Hancock Engine Company, No. 9. - House located at Acushnet. Engine built by John Agnew, of Philadelphia, in 1843. Engine removed to Acushnet Jan. 18, 1861, aud a company was organized to man her at that time. Company orgauized Dec. 14, 1878. John A. Russell, foreman ; George W. Bennett, first assistant; Israel Peckham, second assistant ; Allen Russell, Jr., clerk.

The present officers of the department are as follows : Chief Engineer, Frederick Macy ; First Assistant Engineer, Michael F. Kennedy; Second Assistant Engineer, Loring T. Parlow ; Third Assistant Engineer, Pliny B. Sherman ; Fourth Assistant Engineer, Augustus A. Wood ; Clerk of Board of Engineers, Luther G. Hewins, Jr.

may be discovered. Page 23, line 31 from top, for " James Sproal" read "James Sproat." Page 24, second paragraph, should read, "Hon. Samuel Fales was a

" Frances Wood." Page 32, " Charles Holmes" should read " Charles J. Holmes." Page 228, sixth line from bottom, "Thodijah" Baylies should be

Page 229, eighteenth line from top, " Simmon's" should read " Simmons'." For "John C. Perry," in note, page 229, read "John P. Perry." Page 239, line 15 from bottom, for " Will" read " Hill." Page 242, line 8 from top, for " Wicks" read " Hicks." Page 243, line 25 from top, for " Andern" read " Anderm." Page 245, first line of poetry, for " whenever" read " wherever." . Page 252, ninth line from bottom, for " Price" read " Pierce." Page 256, nineteenth line from top, after "people" insert "would." Page 419, last sentence in first paragraph should read "a windmill

Page 442, third line from bottom, for "no desire" read "so done"; line 26 from bottom, for " sose" read " sarse" ; sixth line from bottom, for " reverend" read " presented."

Page 453, line 3, for "Cracken" read "Crocker"; line 3, second column, for " Rayman" read " Kingman" ; line 13, for " Mr. Benjamin Frank Shaw" read "Mr. Kingman and Frank Shaw"; line 28, for "W. O. Coferem" read " W. O. Capron."

Page 454, line 14, for " Perryman" read " Kingman," and for "claim" read "dam"; line 20, for " Main Street" read "Union Street"; second column, line 15, for " F. M. Cabot" read "F. W. Cabot."

Page 514, in fourth line of note at bottom of first column, it should read, "It was ordered by Plymouth Court to be within the jurisdiction of that town until it should be incorporated. 'July 5,1761, the town have ordered,' " etc.

Page 892, second column, first line in fourth paragraph, should read "The present Chief Justice of the Superior Court" instead of " Supreme."