Berkley Town (part 2 of 2)

Mr. Roberts was born iu Trowbridge, England ; preached in a Dissenting Church in London and elsewhere three thousand nine hundred and forty-two times ; came to America and was settled as pastor of the South Congregational Society in New Bedford, where he remained several years ; went back to England, and returned to New Bedford again. He preached four thousand seven hundred and seventyseven times in America before his pastorate in Berkley, and in Berkley he preached fifteen hundred and fifty-five times. He resigned his pastorate in New Bedford and retired to his farm in Lakeville. Soon after he entered upon the ministry in Berkley he removed thither, bought a house and lands, where he lived ever after and where he died.

Mr. Roberts was a man beloved by all who knew him well for bis geniality, good practical sense, and for his benevolence. He was loved [)articuhirly by the children and youth with whom he became acquainted, and there are those who remember his kindly and wise suggestions and admonitions and have treasured them up. As a preacher, he was generally interesting, his sermons short, but generally well considered; his manner of delivery animated, and sometimes highly expressive ; his prayers remarkably comprehensive, earnest, and sympathetic. He was free from that arrogance peculiar to his nationality; his adopted country was Ms country, and few " to the manner born" were more patriotic. His love of the cultivation of fruits and flowers was almost unbounded, and to this work he devoted much attention and displayed much taste. His love for his parishioners, the heathen world, and for the whole human family was demonstrated whenever he could do them good by word or by deed. His remains lie buried in the cemetery with the Rev. Samuel Tobey and with the Rev. Thomas Andros, a worthy companionship of noble men.

In 1873, March 1st, the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Berkley was organized, a large part of Mr. Roberts' church and society joining with the Methodists and occupying the " Chapel," where they worshiped until 1875, when the Methodist Society built a very pleasant, neat, and commodious building at an expense of seven thousand five hundred dollars, and it is understood that this building is paid for. This church and society has prospered, and although some of the members have made great exertions to put this society upon a firm foundation, they have done it willingly, cheerfully, - "The Lord loveth a cheerful giver," - and having "cast their bread upon the waters," it is confidently hoped that " they shall find it after many days." The clergymen of the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Berkley have been Rev. Mr. Wright, one year; Rev. Mr. Ewer, three years; Rev. Mr. Nutter, one year; Rev. Mr. Humphrey, two years ; Rev. Mr. Burn, three years.

There is a Methodist Episcopal Church also near the pleasant village of Myrickville, in the eastern part of the town, which was formerly a part of the city of Taunton, but was annexed to Berkley in 1878. The congregation though small, the numbers are increasing and the prospectsof the church brightening. It seems to have a location which required some house of public worship established, as there was none for miles around.

John Crane is the first person named as a schoolteacher, there being a small sum voted to pay him for keeping school. Jonathan Crane likewise was paid for the same purpose. Both of tliese schools were of short duration. Then the town employed Rowland Gavin, an Englishman of good attainments. He taught in different parts of the town some two months in a place, in such buildings as could be .secured for the purpose. His penmanship was exceedingly good. Eacli scholar had a blank-book prepared by sewing a number of sheets of paper together. The " master" would write the arithmetical examples into each scholar's book, and the scholar would write the solution, the " master" having the only arithmetic in the school. Reading- and spelling-books also were scarce and expensive, and the pecuniary meansof the parents small. Grammars and geographies were not used in school in those early days. But, notwithstanding the many disadvantages under which those scholars labored, a knowledge of reading, writing, spelling, and arithmetic was attained almost incredible when compared with the proficiency of the scholars of the present day, measured by the difl'erence in length of school, convenience of studying, abundance of text-books upon all desirable subjects, and teachers who have in turn had ample means of qualifying themselves for their important duties, important not only in developing the mental faculty in the direction of science, but important also in the shaping of the moral character of those committed to their charge. But then the parents and children prized their slender opportunities and made good use of them. Their few books were used at home at odd hours in the daytime, in the evening by fire-light, it may be, and it sometimes was so. The bodily exercise, from whicli none escaped, the absence of heated rooms, which none enjoyed, gave to their minds a clearness and vigor not attainable perhaps in any other manner.

rhe diflSculties which had to be surmounted also idded force to their characters. Here, then, is an instance of the resulting beneficence of the law of compensation that permeates all of the works of God, ivho so kindly tempers the storm to the shorn lamb.

But soon after the settlement of Rev. Mr. Tobey, jnd during his pastorate, the condition of the schools improved quite evidently and continually. In 1763 the town began to build school-houses, which were aiore comfortable and more conveniently located than ;he extemporized school-rooms that had heretofore aeen available. Some young men had measurably jualified themselves, under Master Gavin's teaching md at home, for the position of elementary teachers, ind the winter schools and winter evenings were utilized to a creditable degree. Thus the soil was being gradually prepared for the future harvest. Soon after ;he settlement of Mr. Andros in 1787, a new impetus ivas given to education, largely through his instruuentality, which is stated elsewhere, but aided by )ther causes also. The war of the Revolution had exhausted the pecuniary resources of the whole jountry. But the advent of peace, the formation "of I more perfect Union" by the adoption of the Conititution, the confidence in the administration of Wasliington, the unparalleled success of the financial jolicy of iHamilton began to recuperate the palsied land of industry, and better times dawned in the lorizon. Its influence was felt all over the country, [n 1793 the town was divided into four school dis- ;ricts, alterwards into five, then into six, and after the iccession of Assonet Neck the number of school dis- ;ricts in town in 1799 was seven. In 1794 the town coted one hundred and twenty pounds to the four ichool districts to build their school-houses, which noney had been raised for the enlargement of the neeting-house. In 1800 the scholars belonging to ;he several school districts between the ages of four ind sixteen were over four hundred, and the popula- ;ion one thousand and thirty-four. In 1865 the popuation was eight hundred and eighty-eight. In 1880 ;he population was nearly one hundred less than ;islity years before, and the children between five ind fifteen years of age only one hundred and sixty- Iiree, and notwithstanding the town had had three iccessions of inhabitants and territory from Taunton n the mean time, particularly that of Myrickville, ;ogetlierwith the adjacent and surrounding neighborinod, it being an important and very desirable acquisition to the town. Although the schools have been becoming small and smaller for the last forty years intil the scliolars are less than one-half in number ;han there was then, yet the town's annual appropria- ;ion has increased from three hundred dollars to "ourteen hundred dollars for support of public ichools.

Some of the pupils of Master Gavin had under difii- ;ulties acquired a taste for study, which increased as ;hey advanced in science until they in turn were well able to teach what they had been taught by their master and were advancing to a higher plane. Capt. Joseph Sanford, Rev. Levi French, Col. Adoniram Crane, and Capt. Giles G. Chace were among the first and most able teachers which the town has ever had, and their services were sought in many of the surrounding towns, and each of them taught for more than thirty winters. Then there arose a succession of juniors, some of whom taught many years in the common schools and in higher branches of learning and in academies ; such were James, John, Enoch, Alpheu.s, and Baalis Sanford, brothers, and sons of Capt. Joseph Sanford, and Silas A. Benjamin, who taught during most of his life; Daniel and Abrathar Crane, brothers, and sons of Benjamin Crane ; Ebenezer Hervey, who taught here, in Taunton, and elsewhere in New Bedford for more than thirty years, and taught in all more than a half-century. William M. and B. L. Cornell, brothers; David French, Darius Phillips, Daniel S. Briggs, Enoch Boyce, Thomas C. Dean, Dr. S. Hathaway, Walter D. Nichols, P. Chester Porter, Thomas P. Paull, etc.

Since their time of teaching females have been most generally employed, and their success has been quite satisfactory, and they, as a class, have in that department an enviable record. It has been said in the past, and not without reason, that this town furnished more common school teachers according to its population than any other town in the commonwealth. And in this respect there has been perhaps as little decadence as in any other; for while we have but comparatively few male teachers in active service, our young ladies with commendable ambition have come to the rescue, have prepared and are now preparing themselves thoroughly for the discharge of their duties in this most important field of labor; for the public school, with its mental and physical discipline, its inculcation of noble thoughts and precepts, reinforced by good and patriotic instruction at home by the fireside, is the bulwark of an enlightened liberty, of freedom and equality under the law. They also shape the law itself. The school-houses and their surroundings generally are such as reflect great credit upon and are an honor to the town. The improvement in this respect came gradually and rather tardily, but it has come nevertheless at last.

The inhabitants of Berkley during the war of the Revolution were, with a few exceptions, in favor of the war and of the declaration of independence. There was a little "Tory" feeling manifested. Some of the anti-Whigs fled to the provinces of Nova Scotia or New Brunswick, some others were arrested and imprisoned, but enlisted out into the colonial forces. Considering the population and the means of the town, it furnished its full proportion of men.

In 1774 the town voted that the resolves of the Continental Congress be strictly observed in every parlicii/ar, and a committee was chosen to see that the vote of the town was regarded by the people.

In 1775 the town directed that the militia train onehalf a day in each week, and receive one shilling therefor; and each minute-man when called into active service receive five dollars as a bounty.

1776, voted seventy-five pounds ten shillings as an additional bounty to the soldiers ordered to New York, and all soldiers be exempt from paying any part thereof Voted to assess two hundred and thirty-four pounds wherewith to pay soldiers' bounty.

1777, voted to give each man required to fill our quota in the Continental army ten pounds in addition to what is given by the General Court. The term of enlistment was for three years.

How many enlisted in the Continental army or were drafted into it I am unable to ascertain, but, judging from the number of pensioners, their number must have been considerable. Capt. Joseph Sanlord, Josiah Macomber, Samuel PauU, William Evans, Ezra Chace, and Paull Briggs were pensioners.

In 1778 voted six hundred and twenty pounds to pay soldiers in the Continental army ; voted one hundred and filty-four pounds twelve shillings to pay soldiers; also voted thirteen hundred and twenty pounds and nineteen shillings to pay soldiers hired by the town ; also to sixty-four soldiers who had been employed in the defense of the coast, from three to ten pounds each.

Col. John Hathaway commanded a regiment in the war. It is said of him that he was a very sanguine patriot, never even in the darkest times doubted for a moment the ultimate success of the colonies under Washington. In the absence of his chaplain he ofliciated himself in a voice which was widely heard. After the close of the war a militia system was inaugurated which required all able-bodied men between the ages of eighteen and forty-five to report themselves at a given time and place, "armed and equipped as the law directs," with gun, bayonet, knapsack, cartridge-box, priming wire and brush, and two spare flints; sometimes in May called " May training," and also in the fall a regimental or brigade muster. These were great events for children and youth, and for children of an older growth as well. The stirring drum and the shrill and inspiring fife, and then the brigade band, with its bugles and other horns, trombones and bassoons, would cause the smouldering military and patriotic fires to blaze forth in the breasts of the old crippled veterans till they, too, felt like shouldering their crutches and keeping "step to the music of the Union." Under this system Abner Burt, Jr., was adjutant, Adoniram Crane was colonel. Among the captains were Samuel French, Sr., Joseph Sanford, Christoplier Paull, Freeman Briggs, Giles G. Chace, Giles Leach, Nathaniel Townsend, John Dean. Capt. Giles G. Chace, in the war of 1812-15, was ordered to New Bedford to repel an expected invasion of the British, but the enemy, thinking probably that " discretion is the better part of valor," sailed away, and the campaign was a bloodless one.

But after a number of years the militia system fell into disrepute. Election of company oflicers was a mere farce, electing such as would not or could not serve, and then adjourn the meeting without day, -

In 18(54, near the close of the Rebellion, there was an attempt made to revive it, and an "act" of one hundred and eighty sections was passed by General Court, but the system was too dead to be revived, and " it rests."

When Fort Sumter was fired upon, April 12, 1861, by the deluded rebels of the Montgomery government, called the " Confederacy," and a call was made by President Lincoln for seventy-five thousand volunteers to defend the flag of the Union, a meeting of the town was called, at which it was resolved unanimously to respond promptly to the call, and that every effort should be made to encourage enlistments. A committee was appointed to take charge of the matter. Bounties were successively oflered to volunteers, - first one hundred dollars, then one luindred and fifty dollars, and finally two hundred dollars bounty, in addition to the bounties offered by the State and by the general government, and also in addition to the State aid extended to all volunteers' parents if dependent upon the volunteers for support, and extended to the wife and minor children of the volunteers. The town's quota was filled promptly at every " call," and some of our enlisted men went to the credit of other towns which were "short." But our brave men did not volunteer because they liked the pomp and circumstance of war, nor because liberal inducements were offered (though those that had families dependent upon the avails of their industry would not have been as likely to enlist, not knowing how their families would fare in their absence) ; but they periled their own health and lives that a nation might live. Theirs is the roll of honor, and, in common with all soldiers of the Union army, are entitled to a nation's gratitude.

Alexander B. Crane, colonel of an Indiana regiment; S. N. Crane, captain of a Colorado company ; S. V. Dean, captain of a Pennsylvania company. Col. Crane and Capt. Dean were both made prisoners. Rev. James Nichols, chaplain of One Hundred and Eighth New York Regiment, who by great exertions in behalf of the wounded at Autietam, Chancellorsville, and Fredericksburg, impaired his health, came liome to Rochester, N. Y., and died February, 1864.

Assonet Neck. - Assonet Neck was peculiarly the camping-ground of the Wampanoag Indians. They retained possession of it longer than of any of the surrounding country, on account of the convenience of the oyster, clam, and other fisheries.

At the close of King Philip's war it was taken possession of by the Plymouth Colony, who sold it to Taunton in 1678 for the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds.

Subsequently it was bought by six proprietors, namely, George Shove, Walter Dean, James Walker, James Tisdale, William Harvey, and Richard Williams. It became a part of Dighton at its organization in 1712, and the town of Berkley in 1752 voted " to grant the request of a number of the inhabitants of Assonet Neck to be inhabitants of the town of Berkley," but it does not appear that any legislative sanction was applied for at that time. In 1798 the following petition was presented to the town of Berkley, and the request granted :

"Tlie subscribers, intiabitaots of that part of Dighton called Assonet Neck, being desirous to be annexed to the said town of Berliley, with equal privileges of tlie town of Berkley, therefore request that a meeting may be called jis soon .is convenient, to see if the town will grant our request, and you will oblige your friends,

This peninsula embraces nearly two square miles of land, being about two miles in length and of an average width of less than a mile. It lies between the Taunton River and its Assonet branch, and in some respects seems to be of a different geological formation from the mainland with which it is joined, being less sandy, and having a more rolling, uneven surface.

The celebrated Written Rock, called " Dighton Rock," is situated in the northwestern part of this neck, on the eastern shore of Taunton River. There has been much curiosity and interest manifested concerning the inscriptions found thereon, thousands of persons, some from a great distance, having viewed them. There are many theories about their origin, and there will be probably many more until the figures and lines are entirely effaced. For an exhaustive

Many of the leading and most numerous family names mentioned at the organization and in the early history of the town have become obsolete in this town entirely, or live mostly in some few remote descendants, such as Gilbert, Paull, Burt, Crane, Babbitt, Nichols, Andros, Tobey, French, Tubbs, Dean, Sanford, Hathaway, Axtell, Briggs, Chace, Shove, Newhall, and Peirce. But these families are by no means extinct. Their descendants are to be found in the business centres in this and almost every other State and Territory from the Atlantic to the Pacific, distinguishing themselves in the various professions, judiciary, agricultural, mechanical, and manufacturing pursuits, and in trade. In short, Berkley, like other purely agricultural towns in New England, is steadily being drained of its youthful and enterprising population, who are attracted to more remunerative fields and pursuits. Although Berkley is almost exclusively a farming town, its soil can be called good or in a high state of cultivation only in exceptional cases and localities. The soil is generally sandy, with unmistakable evidence in the far distant past of the deposit of immense icebergs or bowlders of ice upon the surface, which with the continual and incessant surging of the water acted upon by the wind caused them to settle deeply, and when the atmosphere was warm enough to melt them there was a considerable cavity or " hollow," "Timothy's Hollow" being the most considerable. These " hollows" seem to correspqnd in shape to the stria- in this vicinity, which seem to have been nearly south, or ten degrees east of south, invariably. In some parts of the town it is rocky and almost covered with bowlders piled up promiscuously in profusion and in disorder, pointing back to an antiquity which geology itself cannot determine with certainty. The eastern and northeastern part is plentifully covered and interspersed with bowlders of rocks ; there are also Bryant's and Skunk Hills, which are notable hills, which with Apes' Hill constitute the most considerable chills in the town. The original houses and barns were quite rude, as they were generally in the Old Colony, and in these days could not be considered comfortable, but from time to time, according to the pecuniary means or taste, or perhaps both, the owners have improved their dwellings, not in the direction of elegance, but in that of coziness and comfortableness. The houses are well built and finished, painted, and surrounded by some evidences of taste and a desire to improve what has come down from the former generation, which is true progress. The ladies cultivate flowers in summer and winter, which is elevating and ennobling, for who that cultivates and loves a vegetable flower cannot neglect the more beautiful human flower that needs even more careful and assiduous cultivaj tion, and will so much more appreciate it as the dawn- 1 ing mind is developed into the intelligence of youth and the affections of manhood and womanhood. " These are my jewels," pointing to her children, said one who scorned the thought of counting rubies or diamonds in comparison with those precious immortals. The barns in town are in a very good and comfortable condition, many having cellars under them, for the man who is merciful is mercilul to his beasts. At the centre or common are two churches, a chapel, and a school-house, which will be mentioned elsewhere. There were two hundred and thirty-five dwellinghouses in town in 1881. The common, "Half- Way Plain," will undoubtedly some time be comjiletely ornamented with trees again, and it may be inclosed, but it is hoped that no vandalism will exist to again destroy the young saplings as heretofore. The public cemeteries have had much attention of late, compared with that which was formerly bestowed.

There are many neat monuments and, it may be humbler, but equally affectionate tributes to the ancestors or the loved and the lost. " Whenever I visit a strange place and desire to know the degree of civilization which veneration and Christianity has wrought I visit their churchyard, - not to see their splendid and costly monuments, but to see the unpretending but unmistakable tokens of an abiding affection for those whom they have succeeded. It shows that their predecessors are not forgotten." This was said by the greatest of novelists, and perhaps the greatest delineator of character since Shakespeare. There are two public burying-grounds, one at the centre and one in the south part of the town. In both cases a nucleus was bequeathed to the public for that purpose, and in both cases more territory has been purchased to enlarge it, and both are properly inclosed, and many family inclosures are tastefully arranged. There is also another burying-ground in Assonet Neck, known as the Deane burial-ground, where most of that name have been buried, together with some of their relatives of different name. This ground also is well inclosed.

There is but little wealth and less poverty in this town. If there is not luxurious living, neither is there scarcely any suffering for the want of the material comforts of life. Berkley was once largely engaged in ship- or vessel-building, and owning and sailing them. Vessels are not built here now, and while the town furnishes many master-mariners, the vessels which they command are mostly owned elsewhere and hail from other ports.

In' 1868, D. S. Briggs, Esq., communicated to the Bristol Cou7iUj Republivan the following statistics of the commencement and aims of vessel-building in Berkley :

The Hon. Samuel Tobey, about the year 1790, then full of euteri)rise, and possessing a large share of ambition, commenced tiie work of ship-building in this town. He built six ships for the European trade, and four smaller craft for the West India trade. Elkanah Hatheway, about 1804, built three schooners and two sloops. Ebenezer Crane, in the year 1808, built two sloops of thirty-five tons each, nearly one mile distant from the Taunton River, near the South Cemetery. These vessels, when completed, had trucks placed under them, jirepared for the purpose, and were drawn to the river with the united strength of forty yoke of oxen and some one hundred men who led the way, hauling by a rope. It is said one barrel of West India rum was provided for the occasion.

Darius Newhall, from 1804 to 1816, built two brigs, three schooners, and five sloops. Nehemiah Newhall, from 181.3 to 1826, built two ships, five brigs, three schooners, and three sloops. About 1815, three vessels were built near the northerly part of the town by Edmund Burt and others. In 1827, at the town landing, near Jedediah Briggs' wharf, a steamboat and a schooner were built. Earlier two other vessels had been built at the .same place.

From 1820 to 1866 twenty-six schooners, eight brigs, one bark, and five sloops were built by Henry Crane, George Crane, Simeon Briggs, Edward Babbitt, and others. Thus during a period of threefourths of a century some hundred vessels were built, varying in size from thirty-five tons to five hundred tons measurement.

Hon. Samuel Tobey, son of the Rev. Mr. Tol)ey, deserves more than a passing notice here. He - Judge Tobey, as he was called - was justice of the peace, representative to the General Court, State senator, and judge of the Court of Common Pleas. His per- .sonal appearance was commanding ; he was for half a century the most influential man in this town, and his influence was exerted for what he considered the best interest of the town. He was patriotic and publicspirited, kind to those who were in affliction, or who were by any means destitute ; he was esteemed a man of learning and of a remarkably sound judgment. No other man in town was so looked up to and venerated as was Judge Tobey. Possessed of an indomitable will and perseverance, whatever he desired to do he did with all his might. His political partisan conviction and friendships were strong, and he was conciliating towards the opinions of those whose opinions were adverse to his. The firm of Samuel Tobey Si Son (Apollos) were engaged in trading in dry -goods and groceries for about fifty years, also in ship-building, in navigation, in farjning, and other enterprises which constitute the business era in the history of the town. Judge Tobey was the master-spirit concerned in the building of the second meeting-house in 1797 and 1798. But the firm meeting with losses at sea, and other losses, became embarrassed financially, closed up their business, made an assignment, and their property was sold, tiie creditors making provision for them and their fiimilies' comfortable support. Judge Tobey died in 1825. Taking him all in all.

Other justices of the peace have been Apollos Tobey, Samuel French, Levi French, Barzillai Crane, Adonirara Crane, Jabez Fox, John Dillingham, William S. Crane, Ephraim French, Jr., A. B. Crane, Nathaniel Townsend, Walter D. Nichols, William Babbitt, Giles L. Leach, Daniel S. Briggs, Ebenezer Williams, and Charles Bissell. The duties required of a justice of the peace in this town are almost wholly ministerial, there having been no criminal business to attend to, and all civil suits are tried in higher courts. This town could well dispense with jails, houses of correction, juvenile reformatory institutions, and State's prisons. Although it pays its proportion annually towards supporting these penal institutions, I do not remember the committal of any citizen of this town upon any criminal charge whatever.

Town Officers

There are few towns in this commonwealth which can show so large percentage of educated men during the first half of the nineteenth century. Many of these scholars obtained their education under difficulties, but they overcame them all. They have all made their mark in their professions. Of those who attended the ministrations of Mr. Andros alone, thirteen were ordained ministers, eight of whom graduated at Brown University and one at Union College, - nine Congregationalists, one Episcopalian, one " New Church," one Presbyterian, and one Baptist, - " a greater number than in any other church in the county."

Some of these scholars deserve particular notice. The Sanford brothers were a remarkable family. They educated themselves largely by their own industry. They were all clergymen, remarkable for sound judgment, and held in high esteem by their parisTiioners, lived long and useful lives, and when age admonished them to retire from the ministry they retired. Rev. Enoch, the survivor, nearly ninety years of age, is still quite strong in body and mind. He is the author of several local histories and sketches, etc. The Crane brothers likewise were a distinguished family. They, too, obtained an education largely through their own exertions. Silas A. Crane, D.D., after graduation became tutor in Brown University, took orders in the Episcopal Church, and discharged his clerical duties to the close of his life. For a long time he was at East Greenwich, R. I., - a most excellent man. Benjamin, after leaving college, taught an academy, then entered into business as a trader, but returned to teaching again, in which employment he spent most of his life. He was an able

Daniel attended Brown Ujiiversity and Union College, was teacher in New England and at the South, was well versed in Latin, Greek, and other languages, in poetry and in history, lives in Ohio, and is a man of literary tastes and pursuits.

A man of culture, Gardner Dean, an evangelist, well known in almost every State from New England to Illinois, somewhat eccentric, but had many admirers.

James Nichols, Assistant Professor of Languages, Union College; clergyman, Presbyterian. On account of his voice he left the ministry and became principal of the Geneseo Academy, Livingston County, N. Y., continued there many years, removed to Rochester, N. Y., bought the " Female Academy," made it a success, and since his death it has been successfully continued by his widow, a well-known teacher, and their daughters.

Levi French, clergyman and teacher, of good merit, taught North and South. He was a man of acute intellect and of large general knowledge. He was an accurate surveyor of land, a good mathematician, and a safe counselor.

Charles G. W. French, lawyer in Sacramento, Cal. He was appointed United States chief justice of Arizona Territory, which position he has honorably filled for many years.

Thomes Tobey, Richmond, a life-long clergyman, whose long and useful life is still well preserved. He has lately retired from the ministry in Taunton (Westville), where his pastorate had endeared him to his parishioners for more than twenty years. His whole ministry of fifty years.

Shadrach Hatheway, a practicing physician for a great number of years in his native town. His knowledge and judgment in his profession is highly prized by the members of his profession, and he is considered careful and skillful by his patients.

Berkley has a suitable town hall, in which townmeetings, elections, etc., are held, and in which other town business is transacted, and the standard weights and measures and the books and documents - some of which are very valuable - are kept. It is conspicuously located upon the park or " common."

This town also has an almshouse, connected with a good farm of about one hundred acres, consisting of mowing, tillage, pasture, and woodland, costing, with the stock, etc., thereon, about five thousand dollars. There were but three inmates in it in March, 1882, ages ranging from seventy-nine to fifty-six years of age; cost of supporting them, not reckoning the natural decay of buildings, in 1881 and 1882, was less than one hundred dollars. But the outside pauper expenses at the insane hospital and private families and partial support amounted to seven hundred dollars. The superintendent of the almshouse has from one hundred and fifty to two hundred dollars salary annually, together with the board of his family. The town is entirely free from debt. Its roads and bridges, considering the sparseness of the inhabitants and the number of miles of road to be maintained, some of them difficult to repair, are above the average condition of the roads in similarly situated towns.

1815. Mr. Andros' salary was increased fifty dollars and was then fixed at four hundred and fifty dollars annually, and so remained to the end of his ministry.

In 1798 there was a subscription paper started and completed with $259.50 volunteered for the " purchase of a bell for the new meeting-house in Berkley." A meeting of the subscribers was then held, and they voted to purchase a bell of six hundred pounds weight, chose Samuel Tobey, Simeon Burt, and' Luther Crane a committee to purchase a bell in Boston, and the aforesaid committee purchased a bell of Paul Revere of 635 pounds weight (fi< 2/7 per pound, amounting to $273.37 ; carting home, $2.75 ; total, $276.12.

Persons moving into the town without its consent, and in the opinion of the town likely to become chargeable, were warned according to the law to leave the town within a specified number of days or they be proceeded against. There are frequent warnings of this kind on record.

In the early history of this town vocal music received great attention. Singing-schools in winter evenings were frequent, and most pleasant reunions of the young and older people, who were scattered in their homes over a considerable territory. The singing-schools were mostly taught by some of the best singers in town. Later Deacon G. Sanford taught singing-schools for many winters. Col. Adoniram Crane was also teacher of public schools and singing-schools in this and other towns, both in Plymouth County and in Dukes County.

He was a man of dignified and commanding personal appearance, an excellent town officer, and as a singer he was well known in this and the neighboring towns as well for the great compass of his voice, his fine musical taste, and the correctness of his ear. To appreciate his singing in church he must have been heard. He was chorister in the First Church some forty years (when present), and in the Second Church from its organization to the close of his life. He was president of the Beethoven Society, composed of the best singers in the neighboring towns. After his death, A. B. Crane, a good singer and musical composer, became chorister in his stead.

The mechanics of the present generation belonging originally to this town have emigrated mostly to other places, where better opportunities for employment offer. In fact, Berkley seems to have been and now is a good town to emigrate In the past, everything considered, there w'ere a goodly number in the various trades. Carpenters and builders, Ebenezer Pierce and two sons, Simeon Chace and two sons, Reuben Phillips and three sons, Samuel Phillips, and Ebenezer Dean. At present there are Benjamin F. Coombs, J. D. Dillingham, Frank Phillips, Dean P. Westgate, Timothy E. French, William Boyce,

Henry Hatheway. Wheelwrights and carriagemakers, Enoch S. Hatheway, Ellery Strange. Theophilus Shove was cabinet-maker and undertaker for a period of more than a half-century. There were in the past a great number of ship-carpenters, who worked at home and in many other places, also William K. Evans, machinist and inventor. Blacksmiths in the past, John Perkins, Tisdale Porter, John Clark, William S. Crane, Thomas Strange; present, James Wade, William H. S. Crane, James Maguire, George Macomber. Carriage manufivcturer, S. W. Luther. Masons in the past, Joseph Sanford, John Briggs, Amos Briggs ; at present, Nathaniel Case, David Hoxie, Jr., Arza Harmon. Shoemakers (they used to go from house to house and make the family shoes ; they were not kept for sale in country stores), George Sanford, Enoch Babbitt, George Briggs, Thomas Burt, Adoniram Cummings, and many others. Now this business is confined almost exclusively to repairing. Of stores there were those of Samuel Tobey & Son, Simeon Burt, Levi S. Crane, Jabez Fuller, Abiel B. Crane, Ephraim French. There is a variety store at Myrickville, Mr. Macomber's. which has a run of business, and is the only store in town.

The records of the town of Berkley are remarkably legible and well written, and have been well preserved. Some of the records are remarkable specimens of good penmanship. They are such records as citizens of the town may well greatly prize, and proudly hand them down to posterity for their imitation.

The First Congregational Church had during the eighteenth century ruling elders as the first ofl5cers of the church. They were Daniel Axtell, Jacob French, John Paull, Ebenezer Crane. The deacons, Gershom Crane, Daniel Axtell, Jacob French, John Paull, Samuel Tubbs, Ebenezer Crane, George Sanford, Ebenezer Winslow, Samuel Tobey, Luther Crane, Tisdale Briggs, Barzillai Crane, James Hathaway, Thomas C. Dean, Isaac Babbitt.

Around and near the common or centre of the town there are a number of fine, commodious, and tastefully-arranged dwellings, among the best in town, very pleasantly located. It is a very pleasant locality for country residences. The Berkley postoffice is near by. It was established about 1818, and has ^ daily mail. The postmasters have been Asahel Hatheway, Abiel B. Crane, Joseph D. Hatheway, and Daniel S. Briggs.

There is also another post-office at Myrickville, at the junction of the New Bedford and Boston and the Newport and Boston Old Colony Railroads, which also has a daily mail. William Simms, postmaster.

At the Bridge village, called also West Berkley, there are a number of neat and comfortable dwellings, occupied by shipmasters, mechanics, farmers, etc. Here is the Berkley and Dighton bridge across the Taunton River, which gives name to the village. The first bridge was built in 1806, and was a tollbridge. Liberty was given by the Legislature to remove it, thfe draw being too narrow, it was claimed, for the larger class of vessels which were required to transact the increased and increasing business of Taunton higher up on the river. Accordingly it was removed, after standing about forty-five years. In 1872 a bridge, to be built by the county, was chartered and soon after built under the charge and to the acceptance of the county commissioners, and it is a great public convenience. In the first half of the present century this was a busy village, largely engaged in vessel-building and other business, most of which has been discontinued. In 1800, Berkley had 11.5 dwelling-houses. In 1880 it had 23-5 dwellinghouses, 9686 acres taxed, about $400,000 taxable property, 276 polls taxed, and rate of taxation S9 per $1000. In 1675, near the commencement of King Philip's from one settlement to another to get a cheese-hoop. He had with him a small dog, whose restlessness probably gave warning of some strange person near. The man took the hint and ascended a large pine-tree, hoping to be concealed among the thick branches ; but his dog, true to his instinct, remained at the tree. The Indian attempted to drive him away, but finding that the dog was unwilling to leave his suspicion was aroused. He examined the tree, but at first discovered nothing, and endeavored to call the dog away, but to no purpose. In making another examination he saw something which caused him to shoot at it, when down came Babbitt dead. The Indian related his exploit to some other Indians, and they in turn to the settlers, who found and buried him. There is a stone erected to commemorate the event and the place. The inscription reads," Babbitt Killed by Indians 1675." Tradition also has different versions, but there always is a man, a dog, an Indian, and a cheese-hoop ; in each that the man was killed.

Berkley, as has been noticed elsewhere, is almost exclusively an agricultural town. It has no valuable water-power, and, as has already been said, the soil in some parts of the town is sandy and other parts rocky and hard, with some exceptions. The most valuable crop is hay. The salt marshes of Assonet Neck have considerable value. Indian corn was an important crop and should be still. Potatoes, turnips, etc., are raised for market. Horticulture has some attention. One of the best horticultural gardens in the county, G. F. Wilbur's, is in the north part of the town. There is some fruit-raising also. Some parts of the town are well adapted to the raising of apples, pears, and small fruit. There is also some woodland, which in the past has furnished timber for vessels that were built here. But in these days of the general use of coal for fuel, wood is of less importance than formerly. But the early settlers were an industrious and brave people. They were as noble, pious, prudent.

and sensible people as settled any part of the Old Colony. There have been many large families reared and educated, who have in turn founded and educated families in other localities which considered and prized them as among their most valued citizens. Having been reared to habits of industry, prudence, and integrity, they have distinguished themselves among distinguished men and women wherever they are found. There was formerly a considerable and a prosperous business in the preparing and marketing of shingles, mostly cedar from North Carolina swamps. A gang of men would be hired and carried to the swamps, a " cabin" built in the swamps, the trees felled, sawed into blocks of the proper length, then split into the required thickness, shaved, bound in bundles, shipped northward and sold. Those shingles were valuable for their durability. At present that business is discontinued here. Annual income of the oyster fisheries of Assonet Neck, and of the shad and alewive fishing privileges belonging to the town, amounts to about the sum annually raised by taxation for the support of the public schools, or about fourteen hundred and fifty dollars.

Biographical Sketches William Babbitt

" Edward Bol)it," the ancestor of the Babbitt family in New England, was "subject to do military duty" in Taunton in 1643, as shown by the records of the General Court. He married Sarah Fame, daughter of Miles Fame, of Boston, 7th month 7th, 1664. He was a land-owner in North Purchase in 1668, and was one of the " committee to view damages done to the Indians in 1671." He and Sarah, his wife, had children, -

Second Generation. Edward Babbitt, son of the first Edward, married Abigail Tisdale, Feb. 1, 1683. She was probably a daughter of John Tisdale, Jr., and born July 15, 1667. Their son Edward was born Feb. 14, 1686, and married for his second wife Elizabeth Thyre, Dec. 22,

1698. He gave five acres of land towards purchasing a house for Rev. Mr. Danforth in 1688. He was one of the proprietors in 1689, and was of Dighton, May 26, 1720. His will is dated Feb. 5, 1727, in which he mentions his wife Elizabeth, sons Benajah, Erasmus, Seth, Nathan, Edward, Nathaniel, and George, and daughters Sarah Thyre, Abigail Burt, Ruth, Hannah, and Waitstill. His wife Elizabeth and son Benajah were his executors. His will was proved March 20, 1732-33.

John Babbitt, the son of Benajah, was the grandfather of William Babbitt, the subject of this sketch. He married for his second wife Lydia Myrick, and resided at "the Farms" in Berkley. William Babbitt is the son of Peter and Martha (Briggs) Babbitt. He was born at " the Farms" in Berkley, March 22, 1817. He received his early education at the district schools, and resided at Berkley Common from the age of twelve to that of twenty-six, when he was united in marriage with Mary Dean Burt, the marriage occurring Aug. 23, 1842.

In 1844, Mr. Babbitt settled on the place where he now resides. He has followed the lumbering business, chieiiy in North Carolina, shipping his hniiber to Rhode Island and other parts of New England. Although starting empty-handed, with no resources but his energy and industry, he has achieved a fair degree of prosperity and gained an honorable standing among his fellow-citizens. He is highly esteemed as one of the self-made men of his period.

A Whig originally in politics, he has been since the dissolution of that party a Republican, and has served his town in the capacity of selectman for many years, being always elected when he would allow himself to run for tlie office. In 1861 he served in the Legislature, and also in 1872, on several important committees, among others the Committee on Claims. He was for several years deacon of the Second Congregational Church of Berkley, and is highly esteemed as a worthy and public-spirited citizen and an honorable representative of one of the oldest families of the town.

Philip H. Fletcher

PHILIP H. FLETCHER. Philip H. Fletcher is the son of William and Jane Fletcher, and was born in Prince Edward Island, Sept. 12, 1813. His p.arents were poor, and at that day there was no provision made in the county of his nativity for the free education of the children of the poorer classes. Consequently, about the only means available to young Fletcher to obtain even the rudiments of an education was the Sabbath-school in his native place. At the age of seven he went to live with his maternal grandfather, John Lane, with whom he remained till about fifteen, his time being spent on the farm. He then returned to his father's home, and five years later emigrated to the States, stopping first in New Jersey, where he remained about a year, when he became engaged in the railroads of that State,

His health failing, he located his family in the town of Berkley, Mass., and engaged in peddling general merchandise through the surrounding country. This occupation he followed twenty-eight years, during which time, however, he undertook a number of contracts on different railroads, in the carrying through of which he manifested much pluck, enterprise, and energy, and met with good financial success. He then sold out to his sons his interest in the peddling business, and gave his attention to agricultural pursuits, to which his chief energies have since been directed.

Mr. Fletcher has always been a temperate man both in theoi-y and practice. He is a nuiu of sincere conviction and earnest purpose, strong willed and determined when once he is convinced of the correctness of his course. These qualities have not unfrequently made him enemies among the class not holding such views as himself, and on more than one occasion he has suffered pecuniary loss through incendiarism and other means at the hands of those of the vicious class whose enmity he had incurred.

Mr. Fletcher has been many years selectman and collector in his town. In church matters he has always been liberal and earnest. A few years since, when the movement to build a new Methodist Episcopal Church at Berkley was inaugurated, Mr. Fletcher was not only one of the largest contributors, but one of the most active workers to achieve the success of the enterprise. He was one of the building committee under whose supervision the structure was erected, and he furnished the larger part of the funds necessary to its construction, waiting for reimbursement until the various sums subscribed should be paid in. Though he is not now a member of this church, yet he does not regret his donation or his labors in its behalf.

It had long been one of the cherished aims and objects of Mr. Fletcher's life to visit the Old World and see face to fiice its numerous places of interest; to view the scenes where have been enacted so many of the events which have shaped the destinies of nations, and particularly to visit Palestine, the cradle of our civilization, and tlie place made holy and sacred by the birth, residence, and crucifixion of our Saviour. Early in December, 1871, he set sail from Boston for Liverpool, where, after a pleasaut voyage, he arrived December 14th. He then visited most of the principal places of interest on the European continent, em bracing London, Paris, Turin, Florence, Rome, Naples, the volcano of Vesuvius, and Pompeii; thence across the Mediterranean to Alexandria, Cairo, the pyramids, etc.; through the Suez Canal to Port Said ; thence to Joppa and Jerusalem, and to all the places of historic interest in the holy land, among which may be mentioned Mount Carmel, Mount Tabor, Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee, Damascus, Baalbec, Beyrout,

Smyrna, and Ephesus. He then proceeded to Athens and Constantinople, where he crossed the Black Sea to Odessa, Russia; thence through Poland and Hungary to Vienna, Austria, from which point he returned through Germany to Paris, and via London to Edinburgh and Glasgow, Scotland, and to Belfast, Ireland, visiting the famous Giant's Causeway; thence to Dublin, Queenstown, and home, where he arrived April 14, 1872, four months and a half, into which was ci'owded more of pleasure, instruction, and benefit than in any other like period in the whole of the seventy years of his life.

Mr. Fletcher married. May 14, 1835, Cynthia A. Greene, daughter of Waterman Greene, of Rhode Island, granddaughter of Nathan Greene, and mo.st probably a descendant of Gen. Greene, of Revolutionary fame. She was born Sept. 22, 1814. To them were born nine children, only three of whom are now living, - Sarah J. (deceased), born July 19, 1837; Permelia F. (deceased), born Feb. 5, 1840; William H., born Aug. 27, 1841 ; Violetta F. (deceased), born June 24, 1843; Mary E. (deceased), born Feb. 14, 184.') ; John E. (deceased), born Jan. 8, 1847 ; George F., born Nov. 26, 1848 ; Eliza A. (deceased), born Jan. 2, 1851 ; and Louis P., horn Aug. 26, 1855. Of those now living, William H. is married and has six children; he resides in Trenton, N. J. George F. is married, has three children, and lives in Raynham. Louis P., now a widower, has one child, and resides with his father in Berkley.

Atalter Dean Nichols

Walter Dean Nichols, son of Abiel and Delia (Briggs) Nichols, was born in Berkley, Mass., on April 28, 1814. Not much is known of the life of William Nichols, the ancestor of the Nichols family in Bristol County. He was born in Scotland in 1689, came to this country, settled in Berkley, and married Joanna Paull, daughter of John Paull, of Berkley, previous to 1721. He died in 1754. He probably practiced medicine, as he was called doctor. The union by marriage with the Paull family doubtless was a source of strength. His son, James Nichols, was one of the most prominent men of Berkley at his time, and was honored by the town with numerous offices of trust. He was a man of large executive ability and was engaged in numerous real-estate operations of magnitude in various parts of the county, as county records show. He was born in 1732, married Esther Dean, of Berkley, about 1764, and died 1792. He was grandfiither of Walter D. Nichols, and also of Dr. Thomas G. Nidhols, recently deceased.

Walter D. Nichols is a self-made man, having received the limited educatiou which he obtained in early life previous to the age of sixteen, at which period he was apprenticed to the trade of a painter, and served his time in Fall River and New Bedford. In 1834, at the age of nineteen, he began school- teaching in the town of Richmond, Ontario Co., N. Y., where he taught five niontlis, and in the spring of 1835 went to Albany, N. Y., and wor]i:ed at liis trade as a painter. He removed thence to Red Hook, on the Hudson, in Dutchess County, N. Y., where he remained several years, and in 1836 was united in marriage to Lucinda Hervey, daughter of James Hervey, of Berkley, Mass.

After his marriage Mr. Nichols settled at Red Hook. In the autumn of 1836 he removed to Toledo, Ohio, where he remained two years, at the expiration of which he removed with his family to his native town of Berkley, where he has since resided. Mrs. Nichols died Oct. 20, 1845, and in 1846 he married for his second wife Nancy H. Dean, daughter of Samuel Dean, of Berkley. The children by the first marriage were Fidelia L. (deceased), Fanny A. (deceased), Mary A. J., and Jesse G. ; by the second marriage, Mary N., Walter D., Caroline M., Emma C, Sarah E., James H., James M. D., and Frank H.

Mr. Nichols was one of the " Argonauts of '49" ; he visited California via Cape Horn, and was six months on the voyage, and after a varied experience of four months in the newly-discovered " Ophir," he returned home by the way of the Isthmus of Panama. His life has been somewhat varied, he having followed his trade as a painter, and also fishing and farming, besides devoting a considerable share of his time to teaching. He has taught in all about thirty winters.

In local politics he has taken au active part, first as a Whig, during the existence of that party, and since as a Republican, and has held every office in the gift of his townsmen, serving as selectman for a number of years. In 1855 he was a member of the House of Representatives, and in 1864-66 he was a member of the State Senate, and the last year served on the Committee on Valuation. He has taken an active interest in all public affairs in his town, particularly in matters of education, and is the author of the history of Berkley in this work.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Nichols, born at the old homestead, are widely scattered. The only surviving daughter by the first wife is Mrs. Charles H. Clarke, formerly of Cambridge, Mass., now a resident of Milwaukee. Nancy N. Street, eldest child by the second marriage, is a practicing physician (honifeopathist) in Cincinnati ; Walter D. is a farmer in Kansas ; Nancy D., wife of Dr. W. W. Freeman, resides in Anoka, Minn.; Caroline M. (now Mrs. Alden) and Emma C. are proprietors and teachers of the Kindergarten in Providence, R. I. ; Sarah E. (Mrs. George E. Royce) resides in Berkley, Mass.; James M. D. is a resident of Colorado, and Frank H. lives with his brother in Kansas.

Abiel Briggs Crane

The name Crane is variously spelled Grain, Crayne, etc., but all were originally one family. Jasi)er Crayne was one of the first settlers of the New Haven Colony, and one of its leading and most influential members. He was one of the signers of the first

Source changes here: from A History of Bristol County, Massachusetts (Vol. 2), by Hutt, Frank Wolcott, published 1924; 3,640 words in this source stream.

Berkley Town

Berkley from the first has been a recluse, a meditative individual among the southeastern Massachusetts towns, whose life from childhood to this, her great age, has not held notable interest whether in industry or growth, as measured by that of most of the Old Colony towns and their suburbs. Berkley resides both in old homes and new, beside Taunton Great river, still delighting in the traditions of her firesides, the friendliness of her gray roofs, the excellence of her gardens, and her treasured relics of generations. Yet it is no regret of hers that a little way in another direction, and not too near her borders pass the railroad trains; or that away over yonder speed the electric cars. Her lot happened to be placed somewhat aside from main-traveled ways between cities, and the railroads here have no port of call. A league above her residence, and a league below the river turn the wheels of many mills; but the stream runs past her doors without obstruction, as in the days of Massasoit. A very ancient road is Berkley street; it was an old trail and path before Berkley was made a town. It is one with its rolling knolls and its small vales, and has made but little attempt to modernize its environment. Follow it faithfully and far, and it will lead to home locations not many years this side of the settlement of Plymouth, itself.

Within only a mile of the spot where Edward "Bobit,"' founder of the Bobbitt or the Babbitt clans (and who was killed in 1675, at the outbreak of the King Philip War, and whose remains lie buried here), built his first house, in 1923 lives former Representative Rollin H. Babbitt, of the sixth generation from Edward, the first settler. The residence of Mr. Babbitt was built and dwelt in by Major Adoniram Crane, also a descendant of early settlers, and an ancestor of Professor Joshua E. Crane, librarian of Taunton Public Library. Both names, Babbitt and Crane, are associated with the incorporation of the town in April, 1735, and the first town meeting, May 12, 1735, was held at the house of Elkanah Babbitt, when Gershom Crane acted as moderator. Abel Burt was the first town clerk; selectmen were Nathaniel Gilbert, John Burt, Gershom Crane; and assessors at that period were Benaiah Crane, John Paull, Joseph Burt.

Mr. Babbitt's home and its surroundings are as colonial in effect as one might wish to see. Within are the long, low rooms with oaken beams and furniture of the quiet old style; outside, a landscape as quiet, with its green lawns sloping to the "Taunton Great River."

It is generally understood that Berkley was so named for George Berkeley, Bishop of Cloyne, Ireland, who wrote the prophetic stanzas beginning "Westward the course of empire takes its way' - who for awhile was a resident of Newport, Rhode Island, and who had intimate friends in this township. But there is another contention that the name was suggested by the members of the Axtell and other families whose homes had been in the Carolinas while the famous Governor Berkeley was the leader there.

Yet we also read that Bishop Berkeley had intended that the church in this town should have an organ, which, however, never leit Newport, owing to the prejudice of the congregations against instrumental music at that period; and it is stated that the church organ intended for Berkley is in use at Trinity Church, in Newport, today. The change in the spelling of the name Berkley from that of Berkeley is due to the traditional clerical carelessness in the registry office. The Hon. Charles A. Reed, of Taunton, once protested against the generally accepted reasons given for the naming of the town in our local histories, as Berkley had no existence as a precinct, or as a parish, even, before 1735, and that the organ sent over by Bishop Berkeley was presented in 1733 to Trinity Church at Newport. Mr. Reed further declared: "It will be found, we confidently assert, that the first settlers of that ancient portion of Taunton (Berkley), the Burts and other original families, drew that name from the Berkeleys of Virginia and the Carolinas, with whom they had alliance from the vale of the Berkeley on the Severn, the ancient home of the Berkeleys in old England."

Churches and Schools. - The story of Berkley, like that of others of the ancient townships in New England, is religious as to its beginnings, main interests centring about the meetinghouse, and the leaders of the '"meeting'' and their message. The town was incorporated April 18, 1735, and the very next year, 1736, a meetinghouse was built at the south end of the Common. At the second town meeting, October 6, 1735, it was voted to hire a scholar to preach "in the town for the space of a quarter of a year," and it was also voted to hire a schoolmaster - the usual way at town origins hereabouts, religion and the schools taking the lead at once.

Rev. Samuel Tobey, typical minister of a typical first settlement, made his advent here with his ordination, November 23, 1737, and for nearly forty-four years, or until his death, which occurred February 13, 1781, he was a father to this small flock, faithful and devout, "of eminent abilities and great common sense," as the late Rev. Enoch Sanford wrote of him. In all, there were forty-nine members of this church, most of whom were in the habit of going the long distance to Taunton or Dighton to meeting. Rey. Samuel Tobey was a native of Sandwich, Massachusetts, and he graduated at Harvard College in 1733. He married Bathsheba Crocker, September 6, 1738, and they lived in the lean-to parsonage that stood near the common. Their farm was twenty-five or thirty acres in extent, and they reared a family of twelve children.

Upon the death of Rev. Mr. Tobey, there came to minister to Berkley folk, a Revolutionary patriot and soldier, Rev. Thomas Andros. He was born at Norwich, Connecticut, May 1, 1754, and his is a story that is worth re-telling. At the breaking out of the Revolution, in 1775, he joined the Continental army at sixteen years of age, the army then being encamped at Cambridge. He witnessed the evacuation of Boston, and afterwards shared in the battles of Long Island and White Plains, and under General Sullivan at Butts Hill. The severest part of his experience was that, when enlisting in 1781 for service on a private armed vessel, the latter was captured by an English frigate and condemned to the "old Jersey prison-ship" in New York harbor. Andros somehow made his escape after suffering terrible hardships. Recovering his health, he gave his life to the ministry. Rev. Mr. Andros was also a devoted and faithful minister, and the church increased in interest under his care. He lived in his parsonage near the meetinghouse twenty years. He was twice married, first to Abigail Cutler, of Killingly, Connecticut, by whom he had nine children. His second wife was Sophia Sanford, and they had eight children. He made a special study of the languages and the classics, and he published a number of sermons and essays in pamphlet form. Among his descendants were writers of note, and a number of master mariners. The Berkley minister received the honorary degree of A. M. from Brown University in 1790. Rev. Ebenezer Poor, of Danvers, succeeded to this pastorate - an interesting preacher who remained two years. Then came Rev. J. U. Parsons, who was pastor from 1838 to 1840. He was author of school readers and some religious works. Rev. Charles Chamberlain, tutor . at Brown University, came here and remained two years, from 1842 to 1844.

The first meetinghouse of the society, built in 1736, was a very plain house of worship. Some time previous to 1798 the old house was taken down and the new meetinghouse was built on the same spot, November 22, 1798, the architect being Isaac Babbitt of this town, who built the Dighton and Berkley bridge as well as Howland's Ferry bridge, Weir Village bridge, factories, etc. The second meetinghouse had a lofty steeple and a bell. The house had galleries on three sides, and there was a lofty pulpit. Two pews were built for negroes at the corner above the stairs, though never occupied, said Rev. Enoch Sanford, historian, "except by John Terry, who was as much better than many below him as his seat was above them." After this house had stood over fifty years, it gave way tb the more commodious one which stands on the same spot where the two others had stood. Adjacent to the meetinghouse is the neat and attractive parsonage.

In 1848 the Congregationalists became divided in their beliefs, and the Trinitarian Congregational Society in Berkley was formed March 1 that year, by twenty members of the older church, and a number of others. They built a church edifice which was called the chapel, and they had for their first pastor Rev. L. R. Eastman, who remained here from April, 1848, to March, 1856. He was succeeded by Rev. James A. Roberts, who continued his pastorate from April, 1856, to September, 1872.

The First Methodist Episcopal Church was organized here March 1, 1873, Rev. Mr. Roberts' flock, the Trinitarians, joining with them, and occupying the chapel. There they continued to hold their services until

1875, when a building was erected at a cost of $7,500. After a succession of pastorates, their interest waned, or was transferred to the Methodist church at Myricks.

In 1903 the Congregational church, that was built in 1848, was burned, and the members of that society purchased the Methodist church building that stood about one-half mile north of the Green, and they had it removed to its present location. The pastors that succeeded Rev. Mr. Andros were Rev. Ebenezer Poor, of Danvers, from 1835 to 1837; Rev. J. U. Parsons, 1838-40; Rev. Charles Chamberlain, 1842-44. Several pastors occupied the pulpit from that time. Then, in 1870, Rev. Samuel B. Fairleigh was installed, to remain until 1876; Rev. William H. Teel was here from 1876 to 1878; Rev. William A. Chamberlain to 1881; Rev. Leonard S. Parker from 1882 to 1886; Rev. J. W. Wright (who was a chaplain in the Civil War), to 1892; Rev. George Sterling to 1895; Rev. Franklin K. Beem to 1900; Rev. William R. Josselyn to 1904; Rev. George Christie to 1910; Rev. Mr. Humphries to 1916; Rev. George M. Whyte to 1923; Rev. Albert H. Plumb, the present incumbent.

No sooner was the town organized and the local meetinghouse established, than the school was begun, the first teachers being John and Jonathan Crane, each receiving a small sum by town meeting vote. Rowland Gavin succeeded these as teacher, and his school was kept in various sections of the town. He not only taught reading, writing and arithmetic, but also navigation. The schoolroom, it is recorded, was usually at the homes of some of the townsmen; but the first schoolhouse was built in 1763. Thirty years afterwards, or in 1793, the town was divided into four school districts; later, into five, then into six, and after the accession of Assonet Neck there were seven school districts. The town voted £120 in 1794 to the four school districts for the building of schoolhouses, and 'n 1800, with the town's population 1034, there were more than 400 pupils in the several school districts. It is an interesting fact of retardation of town progress that in 1880 the population of the town was nearly one hundred less than it had been eighty years before, and the pupils in the schools numbered 163. These country schools were the nurseries of numbers of excellent teachers, who not only taught in Berkley schools but also in academies and colleges. Such teachers and professors were: Captain Joseph Sanford, Levi French, Colonel Adoniram Crane, Captain Giles G. Chace, the Sanford brothers - James, John, Enoch, Alpheus and Baalis, Silas A. Benjamin, Daniel and Abiathar Crane, Ebenezer Hervey, William M. and B. L. Cornell, David French, Darius Phillips, Daniel S. Briggs, Enoch Boyce, Thomas C. Dean, Dr. S. Hathaway, Walter D. Nichols, P. Chester Potter, Thomas P. Paull. There were six schools in the town in 1923, and Walter K. Putney was the superintendent.

In the Wars. - The home life of the first settlers was broken up at the time of King Philip's War, in 1675. Although it has been stated that King Philip, or Metacomet, was friendly to the Leonards and the people at the ironworks, yet the red men were prowling about this territory and destroying property, their minds set upon obtaining what had once belonged to their race. They were now ravaging Berkley, and the settlers left the region in a body, to get nearer to the larger settlement at Taunton Green.

The family of Edward Bobbit was among those who had temporarily fled from Berkley. But Edward Bobbit himself met death at the hands of the Indians, and the family tradition regarding the incident is to this effect: It appears according to one of the versions that Bobbit made an attempt to return to his home to find a cheese-hoop or similar article or household utensil. He had with him a dog who by his whining warned his master of the neighborhood of some danger. Bobbit took the hint and climbed a tree. The dog continuing to remain near the tree and keeping up its whining, drew the attention of an Indian, who, seeing the predicament of the settler, fired at him and killed him. Later on, his family returning found him, and buried him at about that place. Bobbit is said to have been the first white man killed in this vicinity. The stone that was placed at the head of his grave is now at Historical Hall, in Taunton.

The revolt against the mother country was favored here, the town voting in 1774 that the resolves of the Continental Congress be observed in every particular. Each minute-man when called into active service, was to receive five dollars as a bounty, and in 1775 the militia was directed to be in training one-half day each week, and to receive one shilling therefor. From time to time the town voted substantial sums for additional bounty for men filling up the quota of the Continental army; and it is believed a large number of men joined the service from this town. Among the pensioners mentioned were Captain Joseph Sanford, Josiah Macomber, Samuel Paull, William Evans, Ezra Chace, Paul Briggs. A regiment was under command of Colonel John Hathaway from this town, and it is related that in the absence of his chaplain he officiated in that capacity. After the war, regimental musters and May training were great local events. At most of such musters, Abner Burt, Jr., was adjutant, Adoniram Crane was colonel, and among the captains were Samuel French, senior, Joseph Sanford, Christopher Paull, Freeman Briggs, Giles G. Chace, Giles Leach, Nathaniel Townsend, John Dean. It was Captain Giles Chace who had charge of a company that was ordered to New Bedford during the war of 1812-1814.

Again, in 1861, the town responded promptly to the call of President Lincoln, the town's quota being quickly filled, and generous bounties were offered in addition to those of the State. Seventy-one men were in service from this town. In the Spanish-American War, seventy-six men were enlisted.

During the World War, the town joined unreservedly in the work of the Red Cross and in the various drives, and thirty men from Berkley were in the service, for whom an honor roll tablet is to be placed in Town Hall.

Industries, etc. - Here and there, some old settler will point out to you a landing, a remnant of a wharf, or a vessel-building ways by the riverbank. And you will be told that Edmund Burt or Darius Newhall or Ephraim French built many small vessels, and that a number of master mariners had their homes in this section. It is stated that Hon. Samuel Tobey began to build ships here about the year 1790, his first ventures being six ships for European trade and four smaller vessels for the West India trade; Elkanah Hathaway built three schooners and two sloops about the year 1804; Ebenezer Crane built two sloops of thirty-five tons each © in 1808. But his vessels were built one mile inland, and it took "forty yoke of oxen, one hundred men and a barrel of rum" to get the craft to the river. Others who built vessels in and about Berkley were: Darius Newhall, who built three schooners, two brigs and five sloops, from 1804 to 1815; Edmund Burt, who with others built three vessels in 1815; Jedediah Briggs, who in 1827 built a steamboat and a schooner; Ephraim French, who built six schooners and three sloops, from 1809 to 1833; Henry Crane, George Crane, Simeon Briggs, Edward Babbitt built twentysix schooners, eight brigs, one bark and five sloops from 1820 to 1866.

The Berkley postoffice was established in 1818. The present Public Library building was constructed in 1918 from the Carnegie fund. The first bridge from Berkley to Dighton was built in 1806. The second was erected there by the county in 1872.

The shipbuilder and philanthropist, Thomas Coram, was owner of fifty-nine acres near Burt's Corner, the site of which is the estate of the late Herbert A. Dean. By Captain Coram's will this land was disposed of to the vestry of King's Chapel, in Boston, the proceeds going towards the erection of that building, in 1754.

Assonet Neck is a part of Berkley, and was annexed thereto in 1799. Here the natives enjoyed their permanent cdmping ground, because of its neighborhood to the fisheries. Plymouth Colony took possession of this tract of land, and in 1678 it was sold to Taunton for £150. Six proprietors bought it shortly thereafter - George Shove, Walter Deane. James Walker, James Tisdale, William Harvey, Richard Williams. When Dighton was organized in 1712, it became a part of that town, and in 1799 it became a part of Berkley, the peninsula being about two square miles of land. It is on the northwestern part of the Neck that the celebrated "Writing Rock" is situated.

Myricks. - As to Myricks, a part of Berkley, it was the former great cattle show and the picnic events that proclaimed that part of the town, and that sent the voices of many a forgotten railroad conductor echoing down through the future, with the insistent "all aboard for Myricks." In 1879 Myricks said good-bye to the home-hearth of Taunton, and went over to join the household of Berkley. The idea of the proposed change was not entirely unanimous among the residents; but it was generally main- | tained that the settlement would be the gainer in an all-round decrease in expenses by going over from Taunton to Berkley. The proposition for a division of the then southeasterly section of Taunton by setting off the neighborhood of Myricks to Berkley, was made in a petition before the State Legislature by thirty of the forty-four residents of the locality. The event was consummated February 8, 1879, when the selectmen of Berkley, at a town meeting held in reference to a petition of Julius Haskins and others, voted to extend the hand of welcome to the district. Thus took place the last of the five divisions that were made in the original bounds of Taunton township. Among the original settlers in this part of the town was a family named Myricks, though they spelled their name variously, Myrick, Merrick, Marick, and in other ways. Isaac, Obed and Calvin Myricks being among the first of the name here.

It was the cattle show that gave fame to Myricks. The Bristol County Central Cattle Show and Fair, as it was officially known, was maintained continuously from 1858 to 1876, the last exhibition of the name taking place September 14-15-16, 1876, after which its thousands of spectators and participators went away to return no more, save as some smaller percentage of them later attended the annual clambake of the Methodist society. Successful as that fair was, there were yet older fairs and longerlived, the exhibition at Myricks being an offshoot of the older Taunton fair that had its beginnings in 1823, with such men as Oliver Ames and William Mason as its officials, and Hon. Francis Baylies among its speakers; but few of the old fair landmarks remain, here - the L. P. Churchill board and box mill, a building of stone having been the former exhibition building of the fair. Nearby is the gambrel roof house built by the Myricks family in the early part of the seventeenth century. Farther up on Myricks street, near where the village schoolhouse now is, once stood the Myricks Academy, and to the right is the village church, Methodist Episcopal.

Myricks Academy was an institution that for a half century was conducted for the purpose of preparing pupils for college and the business of life, and its teachers were well equipped for their vocation. Students were enrolled from not only the local district, but numbers came from a distance: The academy opened for its first term in 1853. The principals were J. W. Spaulding, Judge William H. Fox, Benjamin Crane, F. A. Knowlton, George M. Paull. Eventually the academy was sold to Taunton for a, public school. It was burned in the Myricks fire of October 25, 1904, which fire also destroyed a number of other buildings and residences in the village. Myricks has had the misfortune to be desolated by two other fires, those of November 15, 1922, and June 1, 1923, when postoffice, stores and residences were destroyed and many people made homeless.