Plymouth County, Massachusetts - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 29 of those read), 1884

Chapter with an unread heading (no. 29 of those read)

Schools - School Districts - Scliool Committee rtf E:iat liridgevvutcr - East Bridgcwatur Academy - Iti^h School - Libraries - Library Association - College (jruduatcs - I'liytician.- - Attorneys au(i Counsellors - Bio^ra|>hicul.

Schools. - No schools seem to have been established within the territory of East Bridgewatcr before 1700. It is probable that the children had opportunity to go to school in " the town," - i.e., West Bridgewatcr. Instruction was given a few years previous to IGSG by Nathaniel Willis, the first schuolinaster in Bridgewater, and Nathaniel Brett acted tlie part of pedagogue in 1(594. Nov. 4, 1700, the town of Bridgewater agreed that Thomas Martin, a scholar from England, should teach the children, and that '° the scool should be kept in foure places in the towne, where it may be most convenient for the inhabitants' children to come, and to be kept three mouths at a place." The probabilit}* is that thus an arrangement was made for instruction to be given in the east part of the town for two months or more in a year. In 1705 '- Nathaniel Brett was chosen schoohuaster, to be paid 15 pounds per aooum, and 4 schooldames for tiie several quarters of the town to instruct small children in reading." Thus the prospect of general education began to brighten. The schools in those early tiiiies were probably kept in private houses. No school-house was probably erected in East Bridgewater earlier than 1720. There is no town or precinct record to indicate when the first school-house was built, but it was probably done by the voluntary contributions of the citizens as early as 1723, the date of the iucoiporation of the East Precinct. The building stood ou the west end of what is now the common. Traces of its location were seen many years after it had been taken down or removed.

Aug. 18, 1743. The inhabitants of Bridgewater, having assembled in town-meeting, '- then proposed whether they would by vote fix the Grammar School this present year in the West Precinct at the school house in said precinct,-aud appropriate £51 old tenor of the town's money to support s'' school, provided a certain number of men will appear to make up s' i'51, a sufiicient sum to maintain such a grammar school muster as the selectmen shall provide, and likewise, that the other three prec'ts this present year shal' draw out of the town tre;iaury the remainder of what is raised, to support the Grammar school in the town, according lo what the pay is respectively, and said money to be appropriated for the support of English schools among themselves. And the vote passed in the affirmative." October 3d, same year, " they met according to the adjournment, and it was proposed whether the South, East, and Nortli prec'is shall have the same privelidge of the school with y" West prec', after this present year successively according to their age, in case they will accept of it, and if not, then the next proc' in course to have the offer of. And the vote past in the affirmative." Here, then, we see the way opened for instruction in the higher branches in the East Parish as well as other parts of Bridgewater. At a parish-meeting held, " Mch. 24, 1748, voted that precinct Com'tee, Capt. Bass, Capt. Whitman, and Lieut. Mitchell, take Care about the schole, to dispose of the Money belonging to this precinct to the best advantage." So it seems there was but one school-house at this time in the parish, and but one down to 1771 ; for it was " voted Nov. 15th, of that year, To Ezra Whitman for work Don at the meeting House and school house, £.0. 4s. Od." In 1773, the East Parish " voted that the Parish should be divided into School Ricks." The committee chosen to make such division were Capt. Joseph Gannett, Isaac Allen,

School Districts. - Accordingly the East Parish was divided into seven districts, and the management of the several schools was annually placed in the care of the regular parish committee of three men, the assessors of the precinct, who each year divided the School money according to the number of the childreu in each district from three to sixteen years of age.

April 12, 1790. The parish "voted to choose a committee in each school district, whose d\ity it shall be to see that their respective districts have their proportion of the money raised and appropriated for English schools, and that suitable masters or mistresses are provided to keep a school or schools in their respective districts, and also to provide wood for the said schools, and that no schoolmaster or mistress shall draw money nor obtain an order from the precinct committee to draw money for keeping a school until he or she shall obtain a certificate from the major part of the committee of the district where he or she hath kept a school, certifying the number of weeks such school was kept and the sum due to him or her for said service." The committee chosen were as follows, viz. : East District, Polycarpus Snell, Thomas Sherman, and Benjamin Whitman ; Middle District (three districts having been united in one), Ensign James Keith, Ephraim Cary, Jr., Col. Robert Orr, Capt. David Kingman, and Benjamin Robinson ; Northwest District, James Barrell, Zechariah Shaw, and Isaac Alden ; Over Meadow District, Eleazer Whitman, Christopher Bates, and Lieut. Samuel Pool; Southeast District, Nathan Hudson.

In 1792 there were again seven districts, and in 1793 a new district was formed in the northeast part of the precinct, which in recent years has been kuown by the name of Northville.

School Committee of the East Preciact. - The following is a list of the school committee chosen by the East Precinct of Bridgewater from 1790 to 1823 :

Id 1817, March 24, made choice of Hon. Nahum Mitchell, Dr. Hector Orr, Bartholomew Brown, Esq., and Dr. Daniel Sawiu, a committee for examiDutioo of schools.

In 1818 the committee chosen for the same purpose were Bartholomew Brown, Esq., Dr. Daniel Sawin, Welcome Young, Esq., and James Thomas, Esq.

The first teacher resident or employed in East Brid^ewater was John Orcutt. He died in 1781, aged eighty-one years. He taught the school on the common several years. He was an excellent penman, as evinced by specimens of his skill in writing still e.vtant. Some others prior to 1800 were William Snell, Ebenezer Willis, Isaac Tribou, Ezra Richards, Benjaiuin Paris, James Thomas, and Timothy Allen. Miss Bathsheba Whitman began to teach in the school-house on the common in 1794, when she was sixteen years old, and was an instructor many years. Bartholomew Brown waa the first teacher in the old steepled school-house erected in the village in 1801. He introduced Murray's " Grammar" and " Reader" aa text-books, and instructed the scholars to recite some of their lessons in concert ; his pupils in the winter of 1801-2, numberiug one hundred and twenty.

Among the teachers since the beginning of the present century, Hon. Edward Everett is remembered with pleasure. He was, while a teacher here, but fifteen years old, and a member of the junior class of Harvard University. Though so youthful, his remarkable attainments in literature enabled liiui tu succeed in that winter's task. To the writer of this he once stated, " I had, if I recollect right, seventy or eighty scholars of both sexes, many of them older than myself, one or two of them young men and women. ... As a class, they were well mannered and gave me no extra trouble, but I was thankful when the time was up."

The amount paid for instruction before 1800 was not large. In 1796 the East Precinct received from the town treasury $332.89. The next year received from the town $332.57, and in addition the precinct raised $100. In 1810 $C05.24 were received as their proportion of the town's money. From this time till the incorporation of the town of East Bridgewater the annual expenditure for the support of the schools was about $600. In 1833 the amount raised was $1000 ; in 1839, $1200 ; in 1848, $15U0 ; in 1854, $2000. In 1809 it rose to $5000 ; iu 1SS3, $5500.

By the school census, May, 1883, the number of children in town between five and fifteen years of aue was 453. The whole number of pupils of all aires enrolled on school registers was 543.

East Bridgewater Academy. - In 1818 a need was felt by the people here of educational advantages superior to what were furnished in the district schools, and a company of proprietors was formed, including the following-named citizens : Silvanu.i Lazell, Nahum Mitchell. Barzillai Allen, John M. Goodwin, Gushing Mitchell, Silvanus L. Mitchell, Levi Washburn, and perhaps some others. A biiilding of two stories was erected on Central Street, near the southwest corner of the burial-ground, on what is now the estate of Kimball E. Sheldon. This seminary was at first named the " Young Lailie?' School." It was opened for instruction early in 1S19, under the care of Miss Bathsheba Whitmau.

" Aiiron Uobiii't, Welcome Young, and Wallace Kust, their nsbociute^ und successors, are hereby made a corpurution by ihe Dame of the I'rojirietors ol" llic East Ciidgcw.iter Academy, to bo catablished in the town of East Jlrid^ewatcr, in the county of Plymoutii, with all the powurs, .tc, --ct forth in the fortyfourth chap, of the Revised Statutes, with power to liold real and personal estate not exceeding ten thousand dollars, to be devoted exclusively to purposes of education."

In 1S45 the proprietors sold the academy building and real estate to William Allen, who was principal of the seminary from October, 1846, to December, 1S60, when it ceased to be a place of instruction.

With increase of population and proportionate accumulation of taxable property, facilities for education have gradually widened until the town has lield its own in the commonwealth in more than one regard, as is shown by its annual reports.

High School. - Fur a number of years preceding 18G0 the necessity for a high and grammar school having been duly cousidered at sundry times, a spacious and substantial building was in that year erected in the Central Village, near the railroad crossing, for the purpose, districts 1, 8, and 9 being then united.

Tiie school opened with an attendance of about sixty, under the instruction of Horace Cannon. The following are the names of teachers who have succeeded him until the present date :

Libraries. - Public libraries have been established in East Bridgewater at different periods, each of which has done at least something towards educating the community. Of some of them mention should be I made. The first of wliich anything is definitely known I was in use in 1770. It was called "The Library j of the East Parish of Bridgewater." The volumes : were nearly all of a directly religious character. I As to the next library we find that eighteen persons met Feb. 28, 1793, and signed an agreement to form a library society. Tho meeting was adjourned for a fortnight. Accordingly, March 14th, a wellprepared constitution was presented, and was signed by forty-one persons. Their names, - David Kingman, Robert Orr, Ezra Kingman, Nahum Mitchell, Josiah Byram, Levi Washburn, Isaac Whitman, Robert Wade, James Keith, Jr., Seth Keith, Jo.^eph Chamberlain, Samuel Rogers, Arthur Harris, Hulmau Keith, Galen Latham, Isaac Keith, Isaac Tribou, Thomas Young, Joseph Whitman, Benjamin Delano, William Mitchell, John Harris, A.sahel Allen, Simeon Curtis, William Keith, Barzillai Allen, Silvanus Lazell, Nathan Alden, Jr., Isaac Chamberhiin, Ezra Whitman, Jr., Thomas Sherman, Josiah Otis, Samuel Spear, Jr., Stephen Snell, Thomas Hooper, Josiah Rich.irds, Zebulon Allen, Benjamin Whitman, Gad Hitchcock, Jr., Ephraim Hyde, Simeon Allen.

This association was denotninated "The Proprietors of a Library in the East Precinct of Bridgewater." From some of the early records of this association, still extant, it is seen that the selection of books was judiciously made ; some of the authors were Goldsmith, Addison, Knox, Cowper, Pope, Ramsay, Keats, Bruce, Hannah More, Josephus, Newton, Franklin, and Paley. There were also Butler's " Analotry,'' Smith's " Wealth of Nations," " Washington's Letters," etc.

In 1836, Rev. Adonis Howard and others formed a " Social Library" in Joppa village. There were at first one hundred volumes, average cost about one dollar each ; one hundred additional volumes were afterwards purchased. Much liberality was manifested by individuals in carrying forward an institution so valuable.

Library Association. - The " East Bridgewater Library Association" was formed Sept. 23, 1870. At the first annual meeting, held Jan. 20, 1871, the fullowing officers were elected : President, Ezra Kingman ; V'ice-Presidcnt, James S. Allen ; Secretary, George W. Allen ; Treasurer, Frederick S. Strong ; Finance Committee, John Hobart and Franklin Edson ; Lecture Comniitlee, William H. Osborne, Amos Hunting, and Simeon C. Keith ; Committee on the Library, William H. Osborne, William Vinton, George L. Faxon, iMartin P. McLauthlin, S. Prescott Allen, Dr. Charles W. Harris, Edmund W. Mutter, Rev. Timothy 0. Paine, George W. Allen.

At the annual meeting of the association, held in January, 1884, the following vote was passed, viz. : " That if the town will annually appropriate a sum not less than one hundred dollars to be expended for books under the direction of the library committee, the public may have the free use of the books belonging to this association."

At the annual meeting of tlie town of East Bridgewater, held March 12, 1883, a committee, consisting of Ezra Kingman, George W. Allen, and Isaac N. Nutter, was chosen to take into consideration the subject of a public town library and report at the next annual meeting. Accordingly, at the annual meeting held March 10, 1884, the committee made their report, in concluding which they say, " In view of this action of the Library Association your committee recommend the acceptance of the offer, and that the sum of five hundred dollars be appropriated the present year, of which three hundred dollars of said sum shall be used in the purchase of books, and that the Library be kept in the room occupied by the town officers, and be opened at least on two week-day afternoons of each week, and at such other times as may be deemed proper and best."

College Graduates Of East Bridgewater

Bridgewater. William Conant, Yale, 1770; clergyman, settled in Lyme, N. H. James Thomas, Harvard, 1778 ; farmer, settled in Kaat Bridgewater. Levi Whitman, Harvard, 1779; clergyman, settled in Weliflcet. Ebeuczer Dawes, Harvard, 1785 ; clergyman, settled in Scituate. Barzillai Gannett, Harvard, 1785; merchant, settled iu Gardiner, Me. Allen Pratt, Harvard, 1785; clergyman, settled in Westmoreland, N. H. David Gurncy, Harvard, 1735; clergyman, aettleJ in Titicut, 1 North Middleboro*.

settled in Portland, Me. Asa Mitchell, Harvard, 1S02; lawyer, settled in New Gloucester, Me. Jacob Hill, Brown, 1807; lawyer, settled in Minot, Me. Eliab Whitman, Brown, IS07; lawyer, settled in North Bridgewater. Nathaniel Whitman, Harvard, 1809; clergyman, settled in

Billerica and East Bridgewater. Daniel Whitman, Brown, 1809; farmer, settled in East Bridgewater. Willard Phillips, Harvard, 1810 ; lawyer, settled in Cambridge. Welcome Young, Brown, 1814; lawyer, settled in East Bridge-

Bridgewater. Lucius Alden, Brown, 1821 ; clergyman, settled in East Abington and New Cottle, N. H. Jason Whitman, Harvard, 1825; clergyman, settled in Saco, and West Boylston. AVilliaras Latham, Brown, 1827; lawyer, settled in Bridgewater. William .\llen. Harvard, 1837; teacher, settled in Barnstable,

Saco, Me., and East Bridgewater. Edmund B. Whitman, Harvard, 1838; teacher, settled in Cambridge, iind Lexington, Ivy. Edward C. Mitchell, Colby, 1849; clergyman, settled in Chicago. Charles C. Mitchell, Harvard, 1851.

Dr. Hector Orr, son of Col. Robert and Hannah (Kingnian) Orr, and grandsou of Hon. Hugh Orr, was boru in East Bridgwater, March 24, 1770, graduated at Harvard University in 1792, studied medicine with Dr. Epliraiui Wales, of Randolph, and in 1794 settled in his native parish. He married March 23, 1795, Mary, daughter of Oakes and Susanna (^Howard) Angier, of West Bridgewater. In 1796 he was commissioned surgeon in the navy by John Adams, President of the United States, and under the command of Commodore Preble, went ou a long voyage to India. lu 1801 he became a member of the j\Iassachusetts IMedical Society, of which institution he served as counselor almost forty years. Having a fondness for military tactics, he was commissioned, in 1802, adjutant of the Third Regiment, First Brigade, Fifth Division, of the Massachusetts Militia. He was an efficient disciplinarian, as can be testified by survivors who were trained under hi.s command. He might have risen to the highest positions in the military department, but he continued as adjutant for the unusual term of twenty-three years.

He was an apt scholar, well versed in English literature and the Latin classics, read rapidly, and remembered what he had read. He took great interest in Freenia-sonry, joined the Masonic Brotherhood prior to his college graduation, and was foremost among the founders of Fellowship Lodge, which was established in East Bridgewater in 1797, in wliich year he gave a hibtory of Frceuiasonry in a discourse before tlio lodge. The discourse was published, as was also "Au Oration pronounced at Bridgewater [East Parish meeting-house], Oct. 1, ISOl, at the rciiuest of tlie Columbian Society," and " An Oration pronounced at Bridgewater [East Parish meeting-house], July 4, 1S04, iu Commemoration of the Anniversary of American Independence." He was a man of sparkling wit, and possessed a fund of anecdotes, which were ever at hand, and, if occasion offered, readily delivered. He

Charles A. Lockerby, graduate of Medical School Dartmouth College, 1844; graduate of a college at Edinburgh, Scotland; resided here 1845 to 1849; removed to Concord, N. II. ; died May 2, ISSl.

Asa Millet, graduated at Brunswick Medical School, 1842; practiced in East Bridgewater, 1847 to 1854 : removed to Abington, theu to Bridgewater; returned in 1873.

Enoch Warren Sanford, born in Raynham ; graduate of Brown Uuiversity, 1851 ; graduate of Philadelphia College; practiced here from 1858 to IStiO ; removed to Brookline, where he died Feb. 27, 1875, age 43.

Charles W. Harris, graduate of Berkshire Medical Institution, Pittsfield, 1847 ; came to East Bridgewater, 18(J6, and died May 24, 18S4, age G2.

Biographical. - Lieut. David Kingman was born in I He kept for many years a diary of passing events. West Biidj^ewater in 1708, son of Jolin and Desire i His death occurred May II, 1805, at tlie age of (HMrris) Kingman, grandson of John Kingman, and 1 seventy-two.

great-grandson of Henry Kingman, wlio, in 1G35, euii- ; Deacon John Wliitman was born in the East Parish grated from Weymouth, in England, and settled in > of Biidgewater, March 28, 1735 (new style), and died Weymouth, Mass. Lieut. David settled in East ' July 20, 1842, aged one hundred and seven years, three Bridgewater about 1733. He was one of the early i months, and twenty-two days. He was the first iutraders; was licensed as a retailer in 1745, tliough i habitant of the ancient town of Bridgewater who lived lie probably had begun keeping a store considerably : more than a century. Few persons in the county earlier. His residence was on Grove Street, facing | of Plymouth have attained so great an age. He was Water Street, the same location as tiiat where is now a remarkable man. It would probably be difficult to the dwelling-house built by the late William Tribou. cite another instance of an individual iu New England That part of the town was formerly called " the llobin- : who could, at the age of one hundred and seven, write son nei;.:liborhood," and more recently " Harmony." ' his name in a clear, legible hand. He was a sou of Lieut. Kingman married, in 1732, Mary, daughter of i John and Elizabeth (Gary) Whitman. On the father's Nathaniel and Elizabeth Hayward, of Elmwood, and side he was a descendant of two of the earliest settlers had five children, - David, Mary, Nathan, Ezra, and Hannah (who married Col. Robert Orr). He was an officer in the militia as early as 1746. He kept a record of daily occurrences for a few years, which is extant, and was a respected and useful citizen. He died April 15, 1769, age sixty-one.

Capt. David Kingman, son of Lieut. David and Mary (Haywood) Kingman, was born Feb. 26, 1733, married Abigail Hall in 1752, and had five sons and three daughters. They were Nathan, Molly, Ezra, Nabby, Eunice, David, David, and Barzillai. He, as Lis father had been, was a country merchant. We find that on Dec. 20, 1757, he waa licensed to sell tea, coffee, and chinaware. About 1765 he removed from the Robinson neighborhood to Central Street, and lived iu a house which stood where the late Daniel P. Edson lived and died. A few feet east of in East Bridgewater, - Nicholas Byram and Thomas Whitman, - and on the mother's was the fourth in descent from Capt. Miles Standish, the Pilgrim. He married, Oct. 11, 1764, Lydia, daughter of David and Joanna (Hayward) Snow. Children : Lydia, born July 29, 1765; Elizabeth, April 24, 1767; James, Feb. 4, 1769. His wife died April 25, 1771, and he married, Aug. 5, 1773, Abigail, daughter of Josiah and Elizabeth (Smith) Whitman. Children : Catharine, born July 4, 1775 ; Bathsheba, June 8, 1777 ; Josiah, March 29, 1779; Alfred, March 30, 1781 ; Obadiah, March 22, 1783 ; Nathaniel, Dee. 25, 1785 : Hosea, Feb. 20, 1788; John, Feb. 4, 1790; Abigail, May 10, 1793; Bernard, June 8, 1796 ; Jason, April 30, 1799. His wife died Sept. 16, 1S13, aged sixtytwo. Three of his sons - Nathaniel, Bernard, and Jason - were educated at Harvard University, and the house was his store. The number of country } became settled pastors of churches. His daughter, merchants at that time was not large, and this store I Bathsheba, was a devoted school-teacher. Her exbecaiue a famous place of resort. Here he supplied ' perience iu imparting instruction was uncommon. She the Bridgewater soldiers of the Revolutionary army lived to a great age, and it could be truly said of her with ready-made clothing. Near the opening of the I that she taught four gtnerations.

Revolution he was elected commander of the local militia in the East District, or ea.st half of the East Precinct, of Bridgewater, and continued in that office till 1784. In 1780 he represented Bridgewater at the General Court. He was an energetic business man, and interested in iron manufactures, being an owner in the forges of the Exst and South Parishes.

We have said that Deacon Whitman was a remarkable man. But if it be asked, " What great things did he do?" it must be answered, he was not prominent as a statesman, a warrior, an inventor, or an artisan, or as a highly-educated man. He was by trade a carpenter, was a plain mechanic and a farmer. He never boasted of any attainments he had made

He was cheerful, complaisant, and had a great fond- j or any property that he had acquired. The writer ness for children, who reciprocated his regard for 1 recalls hb appearance as he was in the daily course of them. His kindness to strangers was proverbial, i life's duties, on his farm, in his craving the Divine many of whom could bear witness to his hospitality. 1 blessing before partaking of the evening meal, and in Ardently attached to the clergy, he was gratified if he | his attendance on the services of the sanctu;iry. lie could lighten their labors and promote the welfare of 1 seemed to be about as near to a complete model of an the people. He was fond of music, and was for many > exact balance of the powers, spiritual, intellectual, and boJily, as it is ever pennitted huiuaoity to reacii. His eaily school uducutioii was scanty iudeod, but lie road, when opportuuity offered, the history of past events, and carel'ully noted what was taking place in the community, so that he was a man of more than ordinary intelligence. " In regard to his mode of laboring, he was seldom, if ever, iu haste, but always industrious. It has been said that he was never known to do a great day's work, - one which might overtask liis powers and break down his strength and destroy his health, while it secured for him a reputation fur astonishing feats of strength or activity. But, it has been added, there was no man who performed more labor during the year tiian Deacon Whitman. Nor was this done by working late at night or at unusual hours. He generally completed the labors of the day by the setting of the sun, and spent the evening with his family. Tiie way in which he performed so much labor during the year was by a diligent improvement of the time during the liours of broad daylight. He did not drive, he did not dally. He went straight forward, always finding something to do, always diligently employed. This was not merely his course on some days, but on all days. If the weather was unfavorable to out-door labor, and he was confined by storm, still he had some employment provided, that so he might not be compelled to spend even a rainy day iu idleness."

As to food and drink, generally favored with a good appetite, he wished to eat that which was wholesome, but had no anxiety as to tlie particular kind of food which was to be set before liim at the next meal. Ho could cat animal food if plainly cooked, or vegetable, but ate in moderation. As to the u.se of ardent spirits as a beverage, before temperance organizations had been formed he was set against them. Ho always held in grateful remembrance the sound religious training which his parents had given him. Ho had no anxiety to become rich. He was grateful if he could by industry aud fidelity muke his home comfortable. He was of decided religious opinions, but while he held to convictions obtained by a careful study of the word of God, ho possessed complete charity towards others who might differ from him in religious Benlinients. In liis estimation, the object of living was the formation and mainteuauee of a rdi;;- ious character.

Gen. Silvanus Lazell, who was born in East Bridgewater in 1752, aud who died there in 1827, was one to whose enterprise the town was greatly indebted. He began life iu humble circumstances, but readily suruiountod difficulties. From a common farm-laborer, he became a cobbler. His ambition was to be a successful trader. He began by keeping a few articles of merchandise in bis shop-window. Constantly adding to his means he, after a few years, had a atore uii what was subsequently tlie turnpike { iiow Bodfoid Street), and on the north side of the cio.<.-ing uf Union and Bedford Streets.

Ambiliou.s to see the town prosper, he rendered substantial aid to enterprising young nicn. He induced Samuel Rogers to come to East liridgewatcr in 1788, furnished him a simp, and enabled him tu engage in the business of clockmaking. Iu l.SUU he assisted Nathaniel Cross, wiio came fVmn Kxctur, N. H., and Bartholomew Trow, from Ch.irK-.-.town, to start a successful career of cariiage-niakiiiL;. James Siddall, who came from Donca.ster, Eiigluiid, in ISH), and was shipwrecked on his passage, w;i> met in Boston, and encouraged by Gen. Lazell, who invited him to settle in East Bridgeivater, prepareil a .,h(ip fur him, aud started him in the bu.iiness ,.f lilacksmithing, in which Mr. Siddall coiitiiuied till near the close of his life, in 1881, at the age of eightyfive. It was chiefly through Gen. Lazoll's influuuee that the turnpike was chartered in 18(1-1, and built in 1S05-6, from near the Great Ponds in .^liddlelJo^o' to the Braiutree and Weymouth turnpike. Forging and nail-making were each advanced by his cue and foresight.

In 1798 he erected in East Bridgewater vill.ige the house now owned aud occupied by Heiiiy Ilubart. The grounds were laid out by himself in a tasteful manner, and were much admired by the passing traveler.

Capt. Ezra Kingman, son uf Capt David and .Abigail (Hall) Kingman, was born in East Bridgewater, Aug. 15, 175G, and married Nov. 14, 17H2. .Susanna, daughter of Peter and Susanna (Keith) Whitiuan. Their children were Susanna, Nathan. Hannah, Ezra, Melzar, Charlotte, and Caroline. He was n merchant in East Bridgewater. About 1785 lie built a store on Central Street, near the common, where Luke Wuice.ster now lives, and continued in trade then- till abuut 1820. He was a correct business iikui, and was (nie of the selectmen of Bridgewater fur twenty year-. He was also for many years clerk and treasurer of the East Parish. It was said of him that he was ever seeking to advance the best interests of the town.

He was commissioned adjutant of the Third Regiment, First Brigade, in 1781, aud captain of the militia in 17U3. He represented Bridgewater at the General Court in 1812 and 181G. Like his father before him, he was much interested in church inusie, and was for several years chorister uf the parish. He was a forbearing man, of gentle manners, and tein-

David Kingman, son of Capt. David and Abigail (Hall) Kitigman, was born iu East Biidgevirater, Nov. 27, 170L!. He married Elizabeth Smith, of Mendon, Muss., and had one son, George G., and eight daughters, - Sophia, Eliza, Mary, Nabby, Jane, Lucy, Su- >anna, and Frances. He was a very active busiiie.ss man, and engaged in ship-building at Hanover Four Coiuers. In that village he erected, in 1788, a store and a hou.ie which has been used as a hotel for many yeai-s. He was also engaged in ship-building at Beli'ast. Me. After the decease of Rev. Sauiuel Angler, of East Bridgewater, he purchased the Angler house aud ground.s, took down the old " manse," whicli had stood for more than eighty years, and erected a large dwelling-house and several other buildings.

He died April 27, 1812, aged forty years. A few years after his deeexse the buildings were all removed, aud the house with some additions is now the Hyland House in Bridgewater village.

Hon. Ezekicl Whitman was born March 9, 1776, and was the only son of Josiah aud Sarah (Sturtevant) Whitman. His birthplace was a house which stood ui;t far from Elmwood (formerly JoppaJ bridge, and but a few feet from the residence of Irving Bates. His father died when the child was two years old, leaving the mother with little means to support her two children. When the boy was seven years of age, on his mother's second marriage (to Jacob Mitchell), his uncle, Rev. Levi Whitman, of Welllieet, kindly received him into his family, and instructed him and treated him with a tenderness Judsre Whitman always remembered with the deepest gratitude. His coolness and fearlessness of spirit were manifested when, while he was a small boy, daring freshets on the Joppa River, the low bridge affording but an insecure passage over the swollen stream for foot passengers, he would mount a horse and take one passenger after another across. At the age of fourteen he began preparation for college under the instruction of Rev. Kilborn Whitman, of Pembroke, and after fifteen months of preparation was admitted a student of Brown University, in 1791. At intervals, during his college course, he taught school in Mnns&eld and elsewhere in order to eke out his scanty means of support. After graduating, in 1795, finding himself almost entirely destitute of funds, he was for a while disheartened, but was soon encouraged to commence the study of the law, and accordingly entered the office of Benjamin Whitman, Esq., at Hanover Four Corners. Remaining there but a little while, he returned to his native town and read law in the office of Hon. Nahum Mitchell. This proved a valuable position for the young student. In 179<), Mr. Whitman was induced to go to the new State of Kentucky to establish claims to certain tracts of land belonging to persons in this part of the country. He performed the whole journey to Kentucky on horseback, and having remained a year and successfully accipmplished the object of his journey, returned to .Mas.sachusetts in the same manner as he went. He was admitted to the Plymouth bar early in 1799, and in April of the same year started ou horseback for Turner iu the - State of Maiue, where he commenced the practice of law, but seeing a better opening in the town of New Gloucester, Me., removed there and opened an office in the following September. He married Oct. 31, 1799, Hannah, daughter of Gushing Mitchell, of East Bridgewater, and sister of his legal instructor. While a resident of New Gloucester he was held in great respect, and his business continued to thrive and increase. In January, 1807, he established himself iu Portland, Me. In this new and much larger field he found abundant exercise for his legal talents. His discernment, calmness, and candor gave him as an advocate much power in the courts. He rendered great service to the merchants in establishing their claims under the treaty of the United States with Spain in 1819, and that with France in 1831.

Among the many students who enjoyed his instructions were the late Hon. Simon Greeuleaf and the late ex-Governor Parris, of Maine. He wa.s elected a representative in Congress four times, viz., in 1808, 1816, 1818, 1820. In 1815 he was a member of tlie Executive Council of Massachusetts. In 1816 he was a member of the convention held at Brunswick, Me., to tonsider the question of the separation of Maine from Massachusetts. While a member of Congress, in 1819, the important question was debated whether Mi.ssouri should be admitted a State with a clause in the bill prohibiting slavery. Mr. Whitman recorded his testimony in favor of the restriction. After Maine became a State he was an unsuccessful candidate for Governor.

On the 4th of February, 1822, Mr. Whitman was appointed by Governor Parris chief justice of the Court of Common Pleas for the State of Maine, and in December, 1841, he was appointed chief justice of the Supreme Court, which office he held until his resignation in October, 1848, having served in the capacity of judge more than twenty-six years. His wife died suddenly, after a sickness of a few hours, March 28, 1852, and in the following October he returned to pass the remnant of his days among the scenes of his childhood, " free," as he said, " to breathe his own native air on his own ground." Hore, always temperate and quiet in all his habits, hu calmly awaited the change of woild.s, which came to him at the great age of ninety years and four mouths, Aug. 1, 18GG.