Bellingham Town

Town Officers

Sahin Holbrook. Assessors. - Amos H. Holbrook, Jeraul O. Wilcox, Savel Metcalf. Constable and Collector of Taxes. - Henry A. Whitney. Highway Surveyors. - F. A. Sherburne, Martin Rockwood, Irving Wales,

School Committee

Roland Hammond, M.D., Chairman and Superintendent; George H. Thayer, Secretary ; Hiram A. Cook, George A. Crooks, F. R. Smith, George D. Rockwood, George F. Wales, C. H. Cutter, John N. Rhodes.

Statistics

In addition to the above, the Town appropriated for schools from Town School Fund, $400; from State School Fund, $306; and from Dog Tax, $510 - in all, $1,216.

Assets And Liabilities, May 1

School-houses, Public library, Other public buildings, Public grounds, Cemeteries, Other real estate, Fire apparatus, Trust funds, Other assets,

Source changes here: from History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Pioneers and Prominent Men, by Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Ed, published 1884; 10,706 words in this source stream.

Bellingham Town

were presented for obtaining an education. attendance at school would not probably exceed six months, so that experience and observation have been his principal teachers. Inured to labor from early childhood, he was employed at various occupations until he-was seventeen years old, when he began to run a stationary engine for one of his father's hempbreaking and shackling machines. This business suiting his taste, he was employed as engineer in various places until 1865. During the war he was employed at the Bridgewater Iron- Works to run the engine and look after the machinery. Here was built the iron for the iron-clad " Monitor,' made famous by its encounter with and victory over the rebel ram " Merrimac."

Whilst employed as engineer at the Boston Flax Mills, in East Braintree, he invented the now so well known ticket-punches for the use of railroad conductors. This punch was invented in 1865. The first one made was placed in the hands of Conductor Osborn, one of the oldest conductors on the Old Colony Railroad, for trial. Finding it worked well, after devising various improvements, he obtained a patent April 30, 1867. During his spare moments he made several punches, when his eyes were opened to what might be done by devoting his whole time to their manufacture, by unexpectedly receiving an order As his entire bank account at this time was only seventyfor a large number of his punches from Chicago.

five dollars, and he had his family expenses to meet, the outlook was not very promising. Inquiry was made about this time by a person - he having seen one of the punches in use - who the inventor was and where he lived. Learning his name and address, he called upon Mr. Crocker, and offered to take joint interest in the patent and furnish capital for their manufacture. This gentleman soon endeavored to manufacture by himself to read oreven to hear so much as the rustling of a news- To-day the machinery for his manufactory is run by an eight horse-power steam-engine, and he keeps five men constantly employed in the manufacture of these punches. Their reputation is"A1." They are in use on all the principal railroads in this country and the civilized world, as well as in all places where and for all purposes which canceling punches are used. The punch used on the first through train of the Union Pacific Railroad was manufactured by him. He made two "Anchor" punches for the well-known and popular author Charles Dickens; also one for Duke Alexis, of Russia, which cut out all his He was awarded a medal by the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanics' Association in 1869, and a silver medal by the National Exposition of Railroad Appliances, at Chicago, in 1883, as being the best punch manufactured. He manufactures over one thousand different designs, all of which are original with him.

He bought the site upon which his house and shop now stand when it was a barren ledge of rocks, but through his taste and skill it has been transformed into one of the handsomest places in the town of Braintree.

Mr. Crocker was married, Aug. 15, 1854, to Olive, daughter of Capt. Cyrus Munroe, an officer in the war of 1812. Her mother's name was Deborah Thomas. Their children are Oscar Munroe, married Anna L. Noyes (he is employed as telegraph operator in the office of the general manager of the Old Colony Railroad Company at Boston) ; and Luther O., who is connected with his father in manufactur- Luther married Jennie Pratt.

to legal measures to secure his rights. This he did by invalidating the first patent, and procuring one in his own name. This patent was dated Sept. 21, 1869.

Mr. Crocker is in politics Republican, an attendant at the Congregational Church, and a member of Delta Lodge, F. and A. M., Weymouth, Mass.

By Rufus G. Fairbanks, Ll.B.

Previous to the 17th of November, A.D. 1719, that tract of land now known as the town of Bellingham existed merely as am unimportant portion of the town of Dedham, which town then extended from Mendon line to the line of Providence, came to particular consideration on the 27th of October, A.D. 1713, when the Dedham _proprietors granted thirty-five acres of it to one Jacob Bartlett, who was found already settled on the premises. At this early period so vast and extensive was the territorial area that acquiring land by purchase was almost altogether unknown. As a matter of record, the first public gathering on the above-named tract was a meeting of the settlers called by virtue of a crown warrant, the return upon which was as follows : is appointed to be held and kept at the house of Deacon Thomas Sanford, in Mendon, on the eleventh day of March next ensuing, at eight o'clock in the morning, then and there to agree upon a division of land and what relates thereunto, longing to Dedham, westward of Wrentham, and ye Inhabitance of a Considerable Farm adjoyning thereto and ye Inhabitance of a small Corner of Mendon ajacent Thereto (to ye number of That Whereas ye above Sd Inheritance are Scituated at a Remoat Distance from ye Respective Towns where they at present belong: (viz.) The Inhabitance of the Town of Dedham, to ye number of three and 20 Families are about Twenty miles Distance from the Town where they belong and Doe Deuty, & being very Remoate from ye Publie worship of God, & The Inhabitance, to the number of thirteen families of ye above Sd Farme being Six or Seven miles Distance from ye place of Public worship: & ye Inhabitance of Mendon afore Sd being about four miles Distance; and Considering our Remoateness & ye Inconvenianecys we Labour under by Reason of the same: and that ye uniting and Incorporating of ye above Sd Tracts togeather & making of

Them a Town may put us in a way in Some Convenient Time to obtain ye Settlement of ye Gospel among us &e (the uniting of ye Above Sd Tracts of Land, Together will make a Town of aboute seven Miles Long & three miles & half wide) and Further Considering what ye Inhabitance of ye above Sd Tract of Dedham Land & the Farme are already Incorporated into a Training Companie and that they have little or No Benefit of Town Privelidges or having No benefit of ye Schools we do Respectively Pay to. The whole Number of Families belonging to ye above Sd tracts being forty & Lands enough already Laid

Sanford clerk, they proceeded to draw slips of paper from a box. On each slip of paper was a number corresponding to a lot of land, and he who drew a number became the owner in fee-simple of the tract, the numbers running as high as one hundred and twenty-one, thus showing one hundred and twentyone settlers located or about to locate. From the new-comers and the granting of additional territory to those already settled. In the year 1719 the people became exceedingly restless over the difficulty experienced in attending church at Dedham Centre and the performing of town business there. Accordingly, as the outgrowth of this agitation, a petition was drawn up, -

- : . | ciously plese to consider our Diffeculty Circumstances and grant of which all persons concerned are to take notice and give | yt 7 8 us our petition, which is That ye above Mentioned Tracts of Land (as by one Platt hereto affixed & Described) may be incorporated togeather & made a Town & Invested with Town Preveliges. That we may be Inabled in Conveniaut Time to obtain ye Gospel & public worship of God settled, & our Inconveniances by Reason of our Remoateness be Removed: granting us such Time of Dispence from Public Taxes as in wisdom you shall think Conveniant, & in your so doing you will greatly oblige us who am your Humble petitioners: and for your Honours, as in Consciance we are Bound, Shall forever pray. Dated yel7th Day of November 1719.

'" Nov. 26, 1719 Read &c. "Ordered that the Prayer of the Petitioners be Granted & That a Township be Erected & Constituted according thereunto & the Platt above: Provided They Procure and Settle a learned orthodox Minister within the Space of three years now coming. "And That John Darling, John Thompson & John Marsh be Impowered to Call a Town Meeting any time in March next to choose Town Officers & manage ye other prudentiall affairs of ye Town. The name of the Town to be called Bellingham. "Sent up for Concurrence "Joun Burrity, Speaker. "Tn Council Noy. 27, 1719 " Read and Conecurred " JosepH WILLARD, Sec. "A true copy examined «Pp, J. WILLARD, Sec."

Why or how the name happened to be Bellingham cannot be told, although it was undoubtedly borrowed from Sir Richard Bellingham, an early colonial Governor. ration, Bellingham never had a corporate charter, but orthodox minister was settled in three years, and this being complied with, she took her stand among the sister towns of the colony. In accordance with the allowing of the petition, the citizens came together at meeting. Thus it was on March 2, 1720, the first town-meeting was held in Bellingham. that meeting was the election of Pelatiah Smith moderator ; Selectmen, John Darlin, Pelatiah Smith, John Thompson, Nathaniel Jillson, and John Corbet ; Town Clerk, Pelatiah Smith; Treasurer, John Holbrook; Tithingmen, John Marsh, Nicholas Cook ; men for the due observance of swine, Samuel Darling, Oliver Hayward; Constables, William Hayward and Nicholas Cook. The matter of a house for public worship being considered, John Darlin, Nicholas Cook, Sr., John Corbet, John Holbrook were chosen a committee to find a suitable place to locate the building. John Corbet, Pelatiah Smith, Nathaniel Jillson, and Nicholas Cook were chosen a committee to build the house, so far as covering and inclosing was concerned. At a meeting called in May, it being desirous to have funds, it was '' Voted that no inhabitant shall take in any cattle from any outside town without first paying twelve pence per head into the town treasury, this vote to stand in full force for the term of one year." In the 14th of November meeting at John Thompson's house the town decided "That the meeting-house should be sett whare thare Is a stake Standing Near Weatherlys corner with a heap of stones Laid about said Stake and a pine-tree marked Said Stake Standing In an old Road that goes from mendon to wrenthan, the Demension of the meeting-house Voted to be: fourty foott long thirty foott wide, Highteen foott Between Joynts. The Stated price for the Laborers for a Narrow axx man finding himself tow shillings and a sixpence pr Day, Broad axx man three shillings pr day, finding themselves." It was also decided at this same meeting that forty pounds be raised for the town expenses for that year. The location of the building is fixed in the vicinity now known as Crimpville, near the residence of Albert Burr. Ata meeting held Nov. 23, 1721, the vote was passed that the meeting-house should be lathed and plastered with white lime, also an "alley-way" should be left four feet wide through the centre and an "alley-way" four feet wide between the ends of the seats and the sides of the building. In January, 1772, seventy-four pounds were received from the Great and General Court as a part of the fifty thousand pound bank. A very common practice in our town at this early period was the allowing of swine to go at large during the late fall and winter months, sometimes extending the time even so late as June. On one occasion in particular the town declared any rams found at large between July and November might be taken up by any one, and the owner obliged to pay three shillings for each offense, but nothing was to be paid unless the ram. was first captured. In April, 1720, the inhabitants laid out sixty-six acres of land about the meeting-house for a training-field. Onasurvey the area measured seventyseven acres, the records saying eleven acres were for bad land. In January, 1723, the town decided to grant fifty acres of land to the first minister settling in town, and shortly afterward Thomas Smith entered upon his duties. In this same year a difficulty arose with Wrentham on account of the dividing-line between the two towns, and considerable spirit was manifested by the people before the line was amicably adjusted, Bellingham going so far as to choose a committee to go before a court of law, and a tax was levied on cows to defray the expense thereof. The town afterward sold one hundred and fifty acres of common land, and realized one hundred and forty pounds, which was expended in surveying and other incidentals connected with establishing the final line. April 22, 1726, a town-meeting was called, in which it was decided to have a new minister, Rev. Mr. Smith having left and Rev. Mr. Sturgeon then acting as pastor. In the following meeting it was fully decided to dismiss Mr. Sturgeon, and pay his board-bill of twentysix shillings and his bill for firewood at the same time. In the following winter Rev. Jonathan Mills was ordained. A familiar and common practice among our early settlers was to warn people outside the town lines. Numerous instances occur, and we give a form as showing how the end was accomplished: " Suffolk SS. To the constable of the town of Bellingham Greeting. forthwith to warn his wife and children out of our town of Bellingham within fourteen days as the doings herein-unto the Selectmen." observed, an effectual road was opened to rid the town The old meeting-house location having become obnoxious, or at least not desirable, on Feb. 1, 1754, a new building stood completed near the town centre, concerning see the result of a negative vote recorded as " passed | In 1755, John Corbet asked the | privilege of building a mill and dam' on the Charles | incensed at this answer to its decree, promptly fined the town. A town-meeting was straightway called, and a vote passed to draw up a petition asking the General Court to abate the fine. In addition to this, the town voted two pounds and ten shillings to carry who enlisted in his Majesty's service, and not being quite decided as to the effect of this vote,an additional vote was recorded that the town would stand by the assessors in the assessment of said soldiers.

was first requested, but the town decided not to abate. In April, 1761, the town again voted not to send a representative. In 1761 a town-meeting was convened, and a committee chosen to find the centre of townsmen came together and elected officers for the year. On the 15th of the same month, at an adjourned meeting, the town voted to annul the votes of March 6th, and then proceeded to elect other and different their stead.

General Court and also entered on the record of the The Legislature decided that the March 6th meeting was legal and the after-vote void, much to The town neglected to choose town officers in full in 1765, anda command so to do was sent by the court at Boston. The result of this action was a meeting in which Bellingham was burdened that year with nine selectmen and seven assessors. This action stood but one year; the town choosing the usual number of selectmen and three assessors at the next annual Assembly. At the March meeting in 1773, the condition of the country being in an unsettled state, and the town being greatly inconvenienced by the excessive taxation, a committee consisting of John Metcalf, John Corbett, Samuel were chosen to look into the condition of affairs, and report at the next meeting. The town being so negligent about sending a representative, a fine was again on the part of the Legislature, the town voted Oct. 22, 1773, as follows: ' Put to vote to see if the town will send to Court any more to get the fines of that we are fined for not sending a Representative in years passed. Passed in the negative."

The industry of the town, as also that of nearly every other town surrounding, was agriculture. The largest farm ever known here went by the name of Rawson's farm, and its area amounted to nearly nineteen hundred acres, and was located at the north end.

The public business up to the time of the Revolution appears to have been the settlement of town lines and the consideration of church affairs.

Taxation becoming more and more burdensome, the people asked the General Court in May, 1774, to assess the town for a less sum, and the committee laid before the court the poverty of the people; in addition to which they sought to be excused from sending a representative and from being fined. On Sept. 2, 1774, nineteen shillings were voted to the General Court to assist in carrying on expenses; also to agree to the covenant whereby the citizens declared the purchase of no goods imported from Great Britain. The sum of twenty-five dollars was voted for ammunition, and delegates were chosen to the convention at Dedham,: wherein prudential measures were adopted on current affairs. On Sept. 30, 1774, the town chose Luke Holbrook as its first delegate, he to attend "the Provincial Congress to be held in Concord on the second Tuesday of Oct. next." December 19th, seven pounds additional were set out to the purchase of powder and bullets. Stephen Metcalf was elected the congressional delegate for February. In the January meeting the motion was put to see if the town would pay those men ready to go at a minute's warning in| | centre of the district, that there may be an easy communicadefense of the colonies, and "not a hand was raised in the affirmative.' On April 25, 1775, the town '' Voted six dollars bounty to its share of men (each) of the thirteen thousand six hundred enlisted, if Congress does not give it." Dr. John Corbett was then chosen to the Congress assembled at Watertown. Stephen Metcalf was also empowered. At the meeting of November 3d the first vote to establish a new county was taken, and Bellingham voted '" no" unanimously. At the next meeting, held shortly after, the town resolved '" that it is the opinion of the inhabitants of this town that it is constitutional and necessary for each county in this colony of Massachusetts Bay in them, the members to be chosen one or more in each town each year, with power to grant county taxes and establish roads, and to perform all acts proper for county assemblies. All that are chosen to be paid for by those that chose them." Bellingham was heartily in accord with the popular feeling concerning the stand taken by Great Britain, and so deeply did she feel the injustice that on July 4,1776, a town-meeting was convened, and the people declared (almost at the same moment the declaration was proclaimed in Philadelphia), " that in case the Honorable Continental Congress should think it necessary for the safety of the United Colonies to declare them independent of Great Britain, the inhabitants of this town with their lives and fortunes will cheerfully ing a form of government for this State, as voted in town-meeting, called in conformity to said resolve, on due notice for that end, held at Bellingham on the 20th of October, and by adjournment on the 2d of December after : for this State to originate in each town, and by that means we may have ingenuity of all the State, and it may qualify men for public station, which might be effected if the present Honorable House of Representatives would divide this State into of the district as may be; to meet about six weeks after the House of Representatives have issued their order for the towns to meet to draw a form of government, and the same committee, to carry with them the form of government their town has drawn at the district meeting and compare them together, and propose to their towns what alteration their town in their opinion ought to make, and said committee in each district adjourn to carry to their several towns, and lay before them in town-meeting for that end, the form of government said district has agreed to, choose a man as a committee to meet all as one committee at Watertown at twelve weeks after the order of the House of Representatives for the town, first meeting to draw a form of government, which committee of the whole State may be empowered to send precepts to the several towns in this State to choose one man out of sixty to meet in convention at Watertown, or such other town as each committee shall judge best. Six weeks from the time of said district's last sitting the said one man out of sixty to meet in convention to draw from the form of government for the whole State; after which said convention send to each town the form of government they have drawn for the town's confirmation or alteration, then adjourn, notifying each town to make return to them of their doings at said convention, and at said adjournment said convention draw a general plan or form of government for this State, so that they add nothing to nor diminish nothing from the general sense of each town, and that each town be at the charge of all they employ in the affair.

" Committee." According to the desire of the General Conrt, a vigilance committee was chosen on March 5, 1777, consisting of Jonathan Draper, Daniel Penniman, Asahel Holbrook, David Scott, and Ezekiel Bates.

nature that we were ever concerned in, and ought to be proceeded in with the greatest caution and deliberation. pears to us that the late General Assembly of this State, in their proclamation dated Jan. 23, 1776, have well expressed that 'power always resides in the body of the people.' We understand that all males above twenty-one years of age, meeting in each separate town and acting the same thing and all their acts united together, make an act of the body of the people. We apprehend it would be proper that the form of government

Daniel or Silas Penniman, except said Silas, now sick, and if any person or persons be so presumptuous as to have the smallpox in either of them two houses they into, receive evidence, and decide on Tory cases. The form of government proposed on May 28, 1778, by the General Court was voted on by the town, and unanimously adopted by a vote of seventy-three per-_ sons. The names of those citizens of this town who served in the Continental army are as follows: framing a Constitution or form of government for the Massachusetts Bay Colony, we, your constituents, being legally assembled in town-meeting on this 16th day of August, 1779, claim it as our inherent right at all times to instruct those that represent us, but more necessary on such an important object as that of a form of government, which not only so nearly concerns our interests, but our posterity. We do, in the first place, instruct you, previous to your entering upon the framing the form of government, you see that each part of the State have properly delegated their power for such a purpose, and that a bill of

_rights be framed wherein the natural rights of individuals be clearly ascertained, - that is, all such rights as the supreme power of the State shall have no authority to control, - to be a part of the Constitution ; that you use your influence that the legislative

That the Constitution be so framed that elections be free and frequent, most likely to prevent That the executive power be so lodged as to execute the laws with dispatch. The Senate to have knowledge of the House, but to revise and propose amendments to it, and when not agreeing to act as one body, the senators to be annually chosen by the people. That the holding the Court of Probate, granting powers of a Court of Probate, and to grant licenses, and to record their deeds within the several towns. We further instruct you that, when you have drawn a form of government or the outlines thereof, you

In early days the delegates were not allowed their | own judgment in publie affairs, but were instructed. Rey. Noah Alden, pastor of the Baptist Church at that time, was chosen a delegate, and the town instructed him as follows: " Sir, - You being chosen by | the inhabitants of this town to represent them in a amendment, to be returned to the convention at their In this way we think the sense of the State at large will be most likely to be collected. That the judicial be so established that justice may be impartially demonstrated without being obliged to be at such an enormous expense to gentlemen of the That right of trial by jury be kept sacred and close, as has been the late usual That the statutes of Old England, or any part thereof, nor any foreign laws be adopted in this Constitution. That a county aslaw to argue causes.

In October, 1780, a committee was chosen to favor | a new county to be set off from Suffolk. At the meeting of April 2, 1781, the town assisted in the election of John Hancock, Governor, and his honor, | Thomas Cushing, Lieutenant-Governor. Stephen Metealf was again elected representative. The name of no other man appears as representative from Bellingham for a long term of years. On the 6th of May, | 1782, he was again elected, and instructed by the town as follows : following instructions: Whereas, the Governor's salary for a year has been eleven hundred pounds, and Counselors seven shillings for one day, and Senators 10 shillings a day, we think | them sums exorbitant, and we instruct you to use your utmost others in this Commonwealth to be set at a reasonable rate, and | that all persons under pay from the Commonwealth that are not absolutely necessary for the business thereof be dismissed, and that there may be a law made that every representative be paid out of his own town treasury such sums as he and his town shall agree upon for his attendance while he is sitting, and that the General Court be removed out of Boston and set in some other town, and that the annual expense of this State be ascertained that is used for its own support, and the annual income | thereof, and how the money has been expended that has been granted toward its support, and how much it is in debt when | what is granted is all paid, that so the people, who have aright to know, may know how the money is expended that they pay ; and a separate account of the annual expense this Commonwealth is at for and toward Continental charges, and how much this State is in debt for Continental affairs, and that there be printed, published, and sent to each town in the State every from time to time is granted and how expended, that for this Government and Continental affairs, separate, and whereas the mode of trials in our common Jaw courts, the attorneys' fees that they demand is so extravagant that poorer sort of people are necessitated to suffer every injury without being able to obtain redress in common course of law of which a redress | ought to be obtained." its will. In 1784 the town voted not to send any one to the General Court. On the following year Stephen Metcalf was again empowered to attend, but before © leaving the town instructed him to use his " utmost | endeavor that the Stamp Act made last session of the | General Court be repealed, and that a law be passed allowing no action in any other county than where the defendant resides. Also that the Governor's salary - and other servants of the State be made less, and all | other needless expense reduced." interested in fishing to some extent, chose Joseph |

Holbrook to join with the other towns on the Charles River in a petition to the General Court, for " ways to be opened through dams on the river to allow the free passage of fish." In 1787 the town cast sixtyseven votes for Governor, sixty-three of which were for John Haucock; also in the same meeting Lieut. Aaron Holbrook was chosen representative in place of Judge Metcalf, who alone had represented the town previously. Lieut. Holbrook was instructed to influence the establishment of courts in a small circuit, also that he do his best to establish credit, 'that he use his power to have what was called a dry-tax light, and that the banefull 'gugaws' of Briton and all West India goods that the Publick can best do without be heavily dutied. We charge you to encourage home manufactorys.' In December, 1787, Rev. Noah Alden was sent to the convention in Boston to give expression to the town's mind on the proposed Constitution, and which expression had been previously declared in that it was against the adoption. The first action taken by the town in national government affairs was at a meeting held Dec. 18, 1788, in which, as national representative, Fisher Ames received eight votes and William Heath six. Electors

As representative to the General Court, Lieut. Holbrook served two years, the town in the year 1789 sending no one. In 1791, Lieut. Holbrook was returned to the General Court, and specially empowered to seek a division of Suffolk County. see if the town will provide a house for the inocula- Secondly, voted that the town disapprove of the smallpox coming into town Contrary to Law."

A total of seventy-one, all of whom resided in the thirty-one dwelling-houses then standing, with an accompaniment of twenty-nine barns. Jr., possessed two saw-mills, and John Corbit one, the only mechanical industry in town. Acres of meadow-grass, 151; pasture land, 330; woodland, swine, 38. In 1793 and 1796 no representative was sent, and in May of the same year a warrant was issued bearing the words " Norfolk County," all previous | having "Suffolk SS." upon their face. The nine towns in the new county, through some dissatisfaction, considered the proposition of returning to Suffolk. and chose a committee to oppose any such action. In the next annual meeting Joseph Holbrook was elected representative, and his pay placed at one dollar per day, the town-fathers further declaring " if he receive more, he shall pay it to the town." this time the General Court ordered a survey of the different towns in the State, and Judge Metcalf was chosen to the work here, but we cannot give the result of his effort, as it is not a matter of record. In 1796 the town located guide-boards for public convenience, and in the next meeting considered the feasibility of uniting with other towns for the purpose of establishing a post-road to Dedham, what is now known as the old Boston and Hartford turnpike. Two years previous to this, however, the matter was privately agitated, as the following letter will show:

" PHILADELPHIA, April 1, 1794. "STEPHEN Metcatr, Hsq.: " My Dear Sir, - On my motion the road to Hartford by Dedham, Mendon, and Pomfret, is agreed to in the committee of the whole House on the post-office bill. It will probably

| pass the House, and I will endeaver by proper explanations to | procure for it a due consideration in the Senate. land cultivated, 127; English mowing land, 170; | and render the middle road passable. I thought it might be useful to give you early information on this subject. There is again a hope of peace. Some among us have their passions raised to the war pitch, and others would like a war against their debts; but the prevailing desire is peace. It will be necessary, however, to prepare for war, as it is thought that it will prove the most effectual way to avoid it. Our happy country seems to stand in need of little more than peace and good order to secure its prosperity. I own I dread war, hy which we can gain nothing and may lose everything as a people. The arrangements which the present critical posture of affairs demands will delay the session of Congress for some time. It is however expected that we shall rise by the middle of May at the latest. I am, dear sir, with esteem and regard, "Yours truly, " FISHER AMES."

This road was finally established and a post-mail placed on the same through Mr. Ames' infiuence with the national government, the towns and States of Massachusetts and Connecticut assisting in the construction.

" Depuam, March 27, 1794. "Sir, - After your good wishes expressed toward establishing a line of stages on the middle road between Boston and Hart- |

"having met and taken the matter into consideration, agreeable to appointment, beg leave to report: That we are of opinion that the most central and convenient spot for erecting said building is on the land now occupied by David Jones, situated at the end of the road leading from Ezekiel Bates' dwelling-house to the road known as the Taunton road, and is bounded partly on the west by the said Taunton road. The said Jones proposes giving the town one acre of land for the purpose of setting said house and other buildings upon, providing said town will agree to erect such a building as will

"We, the undersigned, do hereby propose to the inhabitants of said Bellingham that we will undertake the building of a public house in said town for the purpose of better accommodating said inhabitants to transact their public concerns in. We propose said house to be forty-five by fifty feet on the ground, twenty-five feet posts, and one porch of fourteen feet square, which shall be built of good materials and be well wrought ; providing said town will grant the sum of one thousand dollars, above purpose by the first day of April, 1801, and the other five hundred to be paid by April 1, 1802, and also to grant us the privilege of building pews in said house for the accommodation of the religious society in said town, and giving us the benefit of the sale of said pews to defray in part the expense of said building; and if the above proposals should be accepted by a vote of said town, we do hereby jointly and severally agree and engage to completely finish said house without any other expense to said town, and we will give bonds to indemnify for the above purpose. "Tn testimony whereof we have hereto set our hands,

In the September meeting the above was accepted by the town, and the first sum of five hundred dollars assessed. Joseph Fairbanks having set up a sawand grist-mill on the Charles River, near where the Caryville Mills now stand, the selectmen laid out the road now known as Pearl Street, the read running to the Franklin line from the old turnpike. to 1800 the town was not represented in the Legislature, but in the last-named year Laban Bates was elected to that office, serving also in 1804. In 1802 the town declined to be represented. In December of the same year the town accepted of the new meeting-house (our present town hall), and Thomas Baldwin, of Boston, was decided upon to preach the dedication sermon. A committee was chosen, and the two hundred dollars in lieu thereof, and Rev. N. W. Rathburn was called. At the next annual meeting John Bates was chosen town clerk, in place of Kliab public duties at Bellingham Centre on account of the great distance, and this, aided by the growth of West Medway, so near by, culminated in 1807 in a petition for a new town formed from parts of Bellingham, Franklin, Medway, and Holliston. A viewing committee from the Legislature visited the premises and reported adversely. In 1816 the matter was again agitated, and a hearing granted by the standing committee of the House of Representatives. This committee decided favorably, providing a portion of that adverse. In 1823 the matter was brought up again, In May, 1824, the following petition was sent to the Senate and General Court. 'The undersigned, inhabitants of the West tioners, comprising a small part of the towns of Medway, Bellingham, Holliston, and Franklin, were incorporated for parochial purposes about seventy-five years past by an act of the Legislature, since which time religious worship has been regularly supported and parish a few years past two commodious houses for public worship, a parish house, and other buildings equally adapted to town and parish purposes have been erected, and that said parish as herein described contains about two hundred and fifty ratable polls, twelve hundred inhabitants, and nine hundred acres of land. They further represent that the inconveniences and evils of transacting town business in their several towns at the distance of from four to seven miles from their homes, while the distance to the centre of the parish does in no instance exceed three miles, the remoteness of your petitioners in Holliston from the shire-town of their county (Worcester) as at present situated, and the expense and inconvenience of performing military duty in their several towns at the distances above mentioned, render an incorporation of your petitioners for town purposes highly desirable and necessary. Your petitioners therefore humbly pray that they may be incorporated as a town, with all the privileges of other towns within this commonwealth, according to the following boundaries, viz.: Beginning at the Milford line, on the northerly side of Nahum Clark's farm, and running easterly, including said farm and across the land of Henry Adams, to a stake and stones on the northerly side of a town road; thence across said road to the northeast corner of said Adams' farm ; thence to a white-oak tree standing on the east side

Candlewood Island (so called); road to the old county road ; thence running southerly across said road and Charles River to the end of a road near Amos Fisher's house, in Franklin; thence southwesterly on said road to a town road leading from the factory village in

1831. In 1829, John Cook was chosen town clerk, and the matter of a town farm was first discussed. In 1830 the annual town expense reached one thousand one hundred dollars. The committee authorized purchased the farm of Seth Holbrook, paying therefor three thousand five hundred dollars. The farm contained one hundred and fifty-five acres, and also its southeast corner of Stephen Allen's meadow-land ; thence westerly across Mine Brook to a white-oak tree on the line between Bellingham and Franklin ; thence westerly, on a division line of lands of Stephen Metcalf and Jesse Coombs, to a town road in Bellingham ; thence westerly across Charles River to a stake and | stones beside the turnpike road west of Elijah Dew- | ing's barn; thence, crossing said road and running | northwesterly, to atown road on the division-line of Na- |

The amount of valuation taken into the proposed new town, $2157 ; number of polls, 28; inhabitants, 201. and 187 polls, with 833 inhabitants. acres of land in Bellingham, 11,466; the number

The new town as a whole would, had it been set off, contain a valuation of $14,793, with inhabitants. off (134), only 61 objected, and 173 asked the State government to incorporate them, they representing a valuation of $11,280.70; but, for some reason to the writer unknown, the town was never established, and which house was built in 1811. In 1836 the small-. pox again made its appearance, and a hospital was erected on the town farm, and the sum of one hundred In 1837 the town petitioned for a post-office, and selected Rev. Joseph T. Massey as postmaster. In the latter part of the year 1837, Edward C. Craig was appointed town clerk in place of John Cook (2d). Mr. Craig was appointed to the office at the next meeting. In 1840 the third story in the meeting-house was finand fifty dollars was expended in inoculation.

ished off for an armory, and at this time the roll numbered one hundred and thirty-two of those persons doing and subject to military duty. Edward C. Craig declining to serve, Francis D. Bates was chosen town clerk in 1842. of tithingmen was abolished.

In this same year the choosing In 1842 the town eranted James Freeman the right to construct a shop on the town's land adjacent to the church, and in 1843 stoves were procured and placed in the town meetinghouse for heating purposes. The selectmen generally occupied the position of Board of Health, but the first regular board consisted of Nahum Cook, George W. Blake, and James P. Thayer, elected May 1, 1843. In 1845, James M. Freeman was chosen town clerk. In 1846, Noah J. Arnold was chosen to favor the construction of a railroad from Woonsocket, R. L., to Boston. Mr. Freeman was retired in 1846 as town clerk, and Amos Holbrook elected. In 1832 and 1834, Stephen Metcalf served as representative; in 1836, no one; and 1837, John Cook (2d); in 1838, Asa Pickering; 1839 and 1840, no one; 1841, Dwight Colburn; 1842, Edward C. Craig; 1843, Jeremiah Crooks; 1844, James W. Freeman; and in 1845 and 1846, no one. At the meeting in November, 1846, four votes were taken on a represen- On committee report was issued in 1847. In the same year the town was unsuccessful in electing a representative. In 1848 a movement was instituted on company crossing or otherwise interfering with the town roads. In 1849 a board of town auditors was first chosen, which board consisted of Samuel Metcalf, George Nelson, and Edward C. Craig. In 1851, Martin Rockwood acted as representative. In the same year leave was granted James P. Thayer, Alanson Bates, and others to build a boot-shop on the town's land at the centre.

of damage, a bounty of twenty-five cents was allowed on old birds and one-half as much on young crows, the bounty extending over a period of four months. The orthodox church at this time having become a thing of the past, and the building being occupied solely by the town, it was decided expedient to finish off the lower floor and rent it for boot-shop purposes. Fenner Cook served at the State-House in 1853, and Willard Thayer, after a long struggle, was finally

As crows previously became so far a nuisance as to demand a bounty, so this year a bounty of twentyfive cents was allowed on woodchucks. In November the town so far relented as to allow, for the first time, the leasing of the town hall for " public entertainments of a moral nature." In the same month, after an uninterrupted and persistent effort to choose a representative for the next year, the idea was finally abandoned, and no choice was made. The Charles River Railroad being agitated, and the town recognizing the benefit naturally derived from direct communication with Boston, resolved, in 1849, - fare of this town to have the Charles River Railroad extended to the State line, near the village of Woonsocket, in the State of Rhode Island, and the town in its co-operative capacity does most earnestly pray that the said railroad may be chartered agreeably to the report of the committee on railroads and canals which is now before the honorable Senate on its final passage, as the passage of the bill chartering said railroad would be the means of building it, and thus opening a communication by railroad to the inhabitants of Bellingham not only with Boston, but with Woonsocket and Providence, in the State of Rhode Island, and with the city of New York." tion was made for the town hall for a dance, and the town considered the request, as it '' Voted that the town let the town hall for all good and lawful dances." In 1856, Martin Rockwood was sent to the General Court, and during the next year Ruel F. Thayer In 1858, Horace Rockwood In 1858 our present tax collector came to light in the same official position _which he has held for a long term of years, with

We refer to Hon. Daniel J. In 1860 the renowned Dr. George Nelson was placed on the school committee, and the Baptist clergyman, Rev. Joseph T. Massey In 1861

In the year 1856 the town abated the taxes on the stock of the above road. In 1854 and 1855, Charles Cook (2d) served at At the March meeting Eliab Holbrook was elected town clerk. About this time applica- the first public action of the town in an appropriation of two thousand dollars to fit out and drill those men who had gone and were going in defense of their country. In the same year Hon. Daniel J. Pickering was sent as representative. In July, 1862, the town offered a bounty of one hundred dollars for each volunteer until seventeen were obtained, and to all who enlisted in ten days after that date ten dollars additional was paid. A call coming in August town refusing the prayer of the petition, the county commissioners granted the same, and charged the expense to the town. In 1866, William Fairbanks

Of those persons from our town who served in the war of the Rebellion, the following names appear in the '"' Record of Massachusetts Volunteers,' none appearing on the town books : purchased the " Thomas Jefferson" estate. In April, 1882, Dr. Hammond tendered his resignation, and Arthur N. Whitney was appointed by the selectmen to serve out the unexpired term, and in 1883, Henry A. Whitney, the present incumbent, was elected. Having considered in chronological order the most important events in the town's past career, it may be advisable to look for a moment to its people, its facilities, and its industries as they now exist. Our people, collectively considered, travel very little, and the posterity of the early families to a great extent still reside within the town limits, and on the same homesteads tries have settled here; still, those that have, find This privilege consists of two granite mills having warm support on the part of the citizens. Perhaps eight sets of machinery and a capacity of three

By the last census the town had as its inhabitants 612 males and 635 females, a total of 1247. this number, 360 were ratable polls, 507 of whom were born in town, 24 were naturalized, and the remainder persons coming in from other towns. There are 25 individuals following professional pursuits in town and out, and 26 are engaged in trade, 178 in farming, and 356 in manufacturing and mechanical industries, making a total of 1069, who are continually adding to the common stock. There are 11 foreignborn and 5 native-born who can neither read nor thousand yards per day. This mill is superintended by Hiram Whiting, Esq. One mile below on the river, and four miles from the centre, is the Caryville Mills, having a capacity of three thousand yards of satinet, as at North Bellingham. This privilege is owned by Taft, McKean & Co. (Moses Taft, William A. McKean, Addison E. Bullard), and was formerly run by William Cary, from whom the locality was the latter firm coming into existence on the death of C. H. Cutler, five years ago. At Rakeville is an establishment where farm tools are made, and which

Cornelius H. Cutler, William Fairbanks, Hiram W. Whiting, EK. Baron Stowe, Ruel F. Thayer, and Nathan A. Cook. The town is divided into localities, as follows: At the south end of the town, ' Rakeville" and "Scott Hill'; west of and approximate to the town centre, '' Crimpville" ; toward the north part of the town, '' North Bellingham"; and at the extreme north end, " Caryville," named from William H. Cary, formerly a resident, but now of Medway. Bellingham Centre has a post-office, with one mail per day from Boston. North Bellingham has a postoffice, with two mails per day from Boston, and Caryville also has a post-office, and besides having two and one to Medway. Bellingham is in the form of a parallelogram, is nine miles long by two wide, and is bounded by Medway and Franklin on the north and east, the State of Rhode Island on the south, and the towns of Mendon and Milford on the west. The Charles River enters the town at South Milford, and flows through the town centre, North Bellingham, and Caryville. property of Seneca Burr, who runs a saw- and gristmill; the other, known as "the old red mill," is owned by the Rays, of Franklin, and is now used to grind At North Bellingham the Ray Woollen Company has an extensive privilege for the manufacture of satinet cloth, and which was formerly run by Noah Arnold as a cottonmill. Dr. Seth Arnold, of "Dr. Seth Arnold's Balsam," formerly resided here with his relative.

is now carried on by his son, D. E. Wiicox. The main line of the New York and New England Railroad runs through the southeast portion of the town, and the station there is termed Rand's Crossing. The Woonsocket Division of the same road runs the entire length of the town, with stations at the centre, North Bellingham, and Caryville. The Milford, Franklin and Providence Railroad, just completed, runs across the town, and crosses the Woonsocket Division of the New York and New England Railroad at Bellingham Centre, and also has a station in town named South Milford, so, as will be observed, there are four stations in the town besides the junction at the centre. The passenger service is so ad- its trafic to and from Boston five times daily, the distance being about twenty-nine miles. In town there are five stores, four factories, three grist-mills, and seven saw-mills. Formerly there were four bootand shoe-factories, producing over 225 twelve-pair cases per week, three of which establishments were at the town centre and the largest at Caryville. To the one at Caryville we now refer. This business was established in 1848 by E. & W. Fairbanks. In 1864 the latter bought out the former, and made within ten years two substantial additions thereto, so that ninety hands found employment in making boots for the Western trade. consisted of 7000 cases, in the making of which

In the year 1874 the proprietor, William Fairbanks, died, and, virtually, with his death the entire business became lost to the town. Immediately upon his decease the business was disposed of by his executor to Houghton, Coolidge & Co., of Boston, who undertook its continuance, but discontent and | have been put on the market, but this also has gone dissatisfaction arising, on the night of the 25th into disuse, as the census of 1875 appears the best source of' information, we give the condition of the town for that year, which is, in fact, substantially its present basis, farms and buildings, $361,639: total value of farm property, $430,156 ; woodland in acres, 1232; cultivated land, 2331; number of horses, 185; cows, 300; total income from farm property, $94,017 ; capital invested in boot and shoe business, $25,000 ; product, $33,000 ; wages paid annually'to laborers on boots and shoes, $175,000; stock used in manufacture, $352,940 ; capital invested in factory for manufacturing farming tools, $2500; product, $18,000 ; manufacturing establishments, 5 engines, and 5 waterwheels, with an aggregate of 405 horse-power and machinery to the value of $50,000; also 29,778 domestic animals, valued at $23,000. The total amount of capital invested in town is $180,000, and this sum realizes annually $638,547. Quite a number of years ago, previous to the building of the Woonsocket Division Railroad, an iron-mine was discovered in that tract of land " Cedar Swamp," and this mine was worked for several years,

At the centre of the town, in the triangle fronting the Baptist Church (Rev. Daniel A. Wade, pastor), is a soldiers' monument measuring in height about fifteen feet, placed there by the citizens of Bellingham in commemoration of those who gave their lives in support of the national Constitution.

At the present time there are but two churches in town, - the Centre Baptist, to which previous reference has been made, and the North Bellingham Baptist, a short sketch of which is as follows:

The North Bellingham Baptist Church' is the outgrowth of an interest established here in 1847 as a society called the '"' North Bellingham Baptist Society," which worshiped in a chape! built for the purpose by Bates & Arnold, at that time prominent cotton-manufacturers in this town, and formally dedicated to the worship of God in September or October

_of that year, Rev. Dr. Granger, of Providence, R. L., _ preaching the dedication sermon. setts Reports," war records, and public documents. |

The society had no settled pastor for many years, but depended upon supplies from week to week, though with a few brief exceptions they have had uninterrupted preaching, the late Rev. Otis Converse, of Worcester, supplying them for upwards of a year They

On the 13th of October, 1867, a church was formed consisting of ten persons, as follows: William Hunter, of Goose River Church, Nova Scotia; Roswell Bent, of East Dedham Church; Ann Bent, of First Baptist Church, Lowell; Elizabeth Hunter, Mary Hunter, Jane Hunter, Barbara Hunter, of Goose River Church, Nova Scotia; Rebecca Bemis, Matilda 8S. Murphy, of West Medway Church.

At the same meeting the following persons were received as candidates for baptism, and it was furthermore voted that they be considered as constituent members, viz., John B. Philips, Stephen F. Coombs, Hiram E. Hunter, Catherine Thomas, and Nancy 8. Coombs. Sabbath, October 20th, when the foregoing persons Since been received on profession and the balance by letter. Of this number the church has lost fifteen by dismission to other churches, five by death, and four by exclusion, leaving its present membership fifty-one.

It has had five deacons, viz., William Hunter, Justin E. Pond, George H. Greenwood, Charles O. Drake, and Roswell Bent, which latter is the present Stephen F. Coombs has been its clerk since its organization, with the exception of ten months, and was also superintendent of the Sabbathschool eleven years. About the middle of March, 1882, the church extended a unanimous call to Rev. Edwin D. Bowers, of Rockport, Mass., to become its as necessity demanded. Educational, - Readily appreciating the advanalways gone to a deal of trouble and expense in providing proper schools, and the result is most gratifying. As a matter of fact, she entered upon this duty of intellectual culture soon after her incorporation, in the county, as in 1882 the towns of Dedham and Randolph alone excelled her. Medway, our nextdoor neighbor, ranks number sixteen. In the county,

The superintendent's (Rev. D. A. Wade) report for 1883 shows a marked improvement over 1882, and subsequent years will no doubt excel each other, consecutively, in this work, so highly essential to com- The annual meeting of 1884 has entered upon the duty of reducing ter at private houses, and, of course, early observing the inconvenience of this method, in 1795 six hundred dollars was set off to the construction of a schoolhouse in each district, but this amount being decidedly

In addition to schools, our people are susceptible to the moulding influences of the press. For daily news we depend on Boston and also on the Woonsocket evening /eeporter, an Associated Press sheet. For weekly news of other towns, as well as our own locals, we depend on the Milford Journal, Woonsocket Patriot, Franklin Sentinel, and Dedham Transcript, the last named having the court and county news, more followed the same channel in two years thereafter. In 1793 fifty pounds was expended in schooling, and in 1796 the appropriation increased to three hundred dollars. Since that time the amount has the year 1882 the sum of two thousand one hundred and sixty-nine dollars and twenty-five cents was expended in educational work. The sum appropriated for each child between five and fifteen years of age amounts to nine dollars and thirty-five cents. The largest amount per pupil is expended by the town of Milton, which is twenty-six dollars and eighty-eight cents. work reduced to decimals is .0039, and sixteen out of production. Mailroad-stations for passenger and freight traffic are located in each section of the town, and the larger towns beyond give us a much better railroad accommodation than is usually found in well-water and plenty of it, no license, together with other facilities and a desire on the part of the citizens to aid and assist, render to business men a rare oppor- | tunity for the establishment of mechanical industries, | such as very few towns offer, and such as we believe

Biographical Sketches Amos Harrison Holbrook

Amos Harrison Hoibrook, son of Amos and Lucretia | (Burr) Holbrook, was born Nov. 23, 1818, in the house where he now resides in the town of Bellingham | (and which was also the birthplace of his father). Joseph Holbrook, the first settler on this place, came from Braintree before 1700, and the Bellingham branch has never changed its home. The line to Amos H. is Joseph (1), Jesse (2), Amariah (3), Amos (4), Amos H. (5). Joseph had sons, - Joseph, | Jesse, Elijah,and David. The three lots he owned as proprietary lots were divided into four shares, the eldest's being a double portion, following the English manner of preference for the elder. Of these shares, Amos H. now owns three, all but that of the elder, | and thus the land has been in the possession of the | Holbrook family since its original occupation by the

Indians. Joseph was a deacon of the church, and was one of the petitioners for the organization of the town of Bellingham. He was a man of great energy and perseverance.

dence College on its establishment, and was on the road six weeks. Jesse was captain of the Belling- | ham company, and was ordered to Ticonderoga in 1755, and did good service. He helped his son Amariah build the house now occupied by A. H. in 1780, and also in his old age was probably engaged with the patriot, or Continental, army in Rhode Island | during the Revolution. affairs and public business, was selectman in 1780, al- ways a farmer, and served his day and generation well. He married a Thayer, and had two children, - Amariah and Jesse (2). He lived to a good old age, and, with his father and descendants, is buried in the cemetery | at North Bellingham. Elijah lived on his portion, his home, was also a farmer, was married before 1750, had four sons, who were all soldiers in the Revolution. After the war some of them settled in Virginia. Amariah was born June 6, 1756. He went as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. During his service he returned home and married Molly Wright, of Wrentham, now Franklin, born March 28, 1759, died Aug. 24, 1845. They had nine children, - Tryphena, Nahum, Amos, Amariab, Joel, Abigail, Nathan, Asa, Lyman, - all of whom lived to advanced age, except Nathan, who died when about forty-five. Amariah (2) been for some silver he had in his possession previously, he would have fared badly before reaching his home in Bellingham. He engaged in farming on the homestead after the Revolution, held some town offices, was a man of sterling integrity, and held in great esteem by his fellow-citizens. Amos was born April 27, 1783, lived at home until he was fourteen years old, then went to West Medway to learn the blacksmith's trade, where he remained six years. He worked as journeyman about two years, then established himself at Bellingham Four Corners for a few years. He married, Dec. 1, 1808, Lucretia, daughter of Hlisha and Lucretia Burr, of Bellingham (an old New England family). She was born Oct. 12, 1787, died May 10, 1860. Their children were Whitman, born Jan. 29, 1811; Lucretia, born Aug. 20, 1815; Amos H.; Almira, died young; Olive (Mrs. C. F. Cushman), born April 26, 1827. About the time of his marriage he moved to the old homestead, buying out the interests of his father's heirs,

Amos H., the present occupant of the Holbrook farm, has been twice married, first to Nancy, daughter of David and Sally Adams, of Bellingham, Dee. 15,

M. (deceased) and Nannie A. Mrs. Nancy Holbrook died Nov. 19, 1862, and he married, June 9, 1864, Mary J., daughter of Andrew and Margaret Burnham, of Medway. They had one child, M. Florence. Mrs. Mary J. Holbrook died when Florence was but four years old, March 3, 1869. She had enjoyed vigorous health, and on the day of her death she was cheerful and happy, and visited friends half a mile distant ; while on the way she complained of severe pain in her head, and became unconscious ; in ten hours after order, and had a good academic education. Kind, considerate, and dignified in all her social relations, she won the love and confidence of her associates. was the light and joy of the domestic, circle, - a devoted wife and faithful, loving mother. Her loss was deeply felt by all who had her acquaintance ; '* None knew her but to love her." She was a member of

Mr. Holbrook had the advantage only of common school education, supplemented by attendance at high school in Bellingham and Franklin for a short time. He has always resided on the old ancestral acres, has held various official positions, - town clerk for ten years, assessor, selectman for many years, - and in every position has ever been worthy of the universal respect and esteem with which the people, among whom he has always been resident, now hold him. He has never given a promissory note but once in his life, and that was to his brother in settlement of his father's estate, of whom they were the heirs. His politics have been Free-Soil, Whig, and Republican. special county commissioner two terms, from 1865 to 1872, has frequently been sent to State and county conventions by his town.

He is one of Bellingham's most substantial citizens, and one of the truly prosperous farmers, having in possession one hundred and eighty acres in Bellingham and Franklin.

Nathan A. Cook

Ziba was a farmer all his life, born and reared in Bellingham, and passed most of his days on Scott Hill. He married Joanna, daughter of Seth and Amy (Cook) Aldrich, and had six children, - Duty, Nahum, Ziba, Eunice, Joanna, Amy, - who all attained maturity. He was amember of the Christian Church. He was born May 6, 1764, and died at Blackstone, July 15, 1840, aged seventy-six. His son Nahum was born in Bellingham March 28,1796, married Sibil,

After a residence there of four years he returned to Bellingham, purchased the place where, with his son Nathan, he nowresides. At one time he owned real estate insix towns. His children were Nathan A. and Amy A. Amy married Alvah Aldrich, of Bellingham; had five children, - Albert A., George E., Hattie She died Feb. 9, 1879. Mrs. Sibil Cook died June 26, 1858. wife were for many years members of the Reformed

England to an English family of good repute. Walter Cook, the first American ancestor, was a resident of Weymouth, Mass., in 1643. The line of descent to Nahum runs thus: Walter (1), Walter (2),

Nathan A., which shows Nathan to be in the eighth We can tell but little of the two Walters, but Nicholas (1) was one of the signers of the petition for the organization of Bellingham, which previously