Easton Town (part 2 of 3)

It was not until this matter was given a political turn that anything wrong was suspected. It was found that several congressmen had a financial interest in it, and it was asserted that Mr. Ames had interested them with corrupt intent in order to influence their legislation, and they were accused of taking bribes. Yielding to popular clamor, Congress demanded investigation. . Two committees were appointed to make it. They sat for months, made their reports to Congress, and on the 28th day of February the House passed a resolution condemning the conduct of Mr. Ames " in seeking" - so reads the resolve - " to procure congressional attention to the affairs of a corporation in which he was interested," etc. He alone must bear the brunt of the storm and be offered up as a scapegoat, where in reality no sacrifice was needed. He was charged with bribery when it did not appear that any man had been bribed. The charge rested upon the assertion of one man, and that man an interested party, whose word was good for nothing in the face of Mr. Ames' denial. In fact, no 'legislation was desired or even looked for. Mr. Ames, for the good of the enterprise, endeavored to enlist the influence of prominent men in different parts of the country. There was far less reason why ownership in the stock referred to should embarrass a congressman than his ownership of stock in a national bank, an iron furnace, a woolen-mill, or even in government bonds. Those congressmen who openly declared their ownership in the Credit Mobilier stock and regretted they had so little, are held in honor to-day. But those who, fearful of the result of such confession upon their political chances, sought to evade the matter, have been permanently disgraced ; but from that day to this, in proportion as the case is understood and his services appreciated, Oakes Ames has risen in popular regard.

The Massachusetts Legislature, May 7, 1883, passed a resolve relating to the above-named vote of censure, acknowledging "the great services of Oakes Ames," "his unflinching truth fulness and honesty," the public confidence in his integrity and honor, and ending thus : " Therefore the Legislature of Massachusetts hereby expresses its gratitude for his work and its faith in his integrity of purpose and character, and asks for like recognition thereof on the part of the national Congress."

Oakes Ames was a man of large and powerful frame, - "the broad-shouldered Ames," as Mr. Lincoln called him. He was courageous and enterprising in business affairs, with a special liking for large undertakings. The Pacific Railroad suited his liking and capacity for great and adventurous tasks. He was very temperate, a total abstinent from all intoxicating drinks, and was simple and democratic in his tastes, caring little for the luxuries that usually accompany great wealth. His business integrity was unquestioned. Under a rugged exterior he carried a kind heart, and after his death scores of letters from various quarters told his friends of numerous kindnesses until then unknown to them. In 1828 he married Eveline O., daughter of Joshua Gilmore, of Easton. Of this union there were born Oakes Angier, April 15, 1829; Oliver, born Feb. 4, 1831; Frank Morton, born Aug. 14, 1833: Henry, born April, 1839, and died in September, 1841 ; and Susan Eveline, born May 12, 1841. He was stricken with paralysis on the 5th day of May, and on Thursday, the 8th day of May, 1873, he died.

OLIVER AMES, Jr. Hon. Oliver Ames, the second of that name, was the third son of Hon. Oliver and Susannah Ames. He was born at Plymouth, Mass., Nov. 5, 1807. In 1814 he became a resident of Easton by his father's removal to this place, since which time Easton has been his home. In his youth his time was divided between attending school and employment in the shovel-works. He became an expert workman, and was thorough in every branch of the shovel manufacture. He also showed great aptitude for study, and in 1828, being disabled for active labor by a se- , vere fall, he entered an academy at North Andover, Mass., intending to prepare for college, and ultimately to study law, for which pursuit his talents peculiarly fitted him ; but, after spending a year and a half at the academy, he entered as a law student the office of William Baylies, Esq., of West Bridgewater. This proved unfavorable to his health, and with the increasing demands of business at home led him to

In June, 1833, he married Sarah, daughter of Hon. Howard Lothrop, of Easton. In 1844 he entered into copartnership with his father and brother, forming the house of O. Ames & Sons, and became a most efficient co-laborer with them. As early as 1826 he became much interested in the temperance movement, supporting the cause of total abstinence, of which from that time he was a consistent and earnest advocate, serving it actively and contributing to it largely. He was a member of the Whig party, and, at its dissolution, joined the Republican party, taking a lively interest in its principles and measures. In 1852 he was elected to the Senate of Massachusetts by the Legislature, there being no choice by the people, and he did excellent service upon several important committees. In 1857 he was elected to the State Senate by popular vote. In some of the campaigns he made effective speeches upon the issues of the hour. In 1855 the Messrs. Ames built the Easton Branch Railroad, and after this became interested in those important railroad enterprises in which the two brothers became so deservedly famous. The achievement of building the Union Pacific Railroad, which was mainly accomplished by their united efforts, is now common history. In 1866, Oliver Ames was elected president of that railroad, an office he held with signal ability until March, 1871. During this time the road passed through some of its stormiest days and severest trials. His sound judgment, great business capacity, and inflexible integrity were of immense service in carrying this great enterprise safely through difficulty and peril to final success.

Oliver Ames held many positions of trust and responsibility, of which a few may be mentioned. He was a trustee in the Taunton Insane Asylum for about twenty years; he has been president of the National Bank of Easton, of the Ames Plow Company, and the Kinsley Iron and Machine Company ; a director in the Union Pacific, Atlantic and Pacific, Kansas Pacific, Denver Pacific, Colorado Central, Old Colony and Newport, and other railroads ; also of the Bristol County National Bank, and other corporations. His public spirit led him to take great interest in enterprises of education, philanthropy, and reform. He was identified with agricultural, historical, and other societies, and willingly served for years on the board of school committee of Easton. He was always interested in the Unitarian Churches of Easton and North Easton, was constant in his attendance upon religious services, and for several years was a Sundayschool superintendent. He died at North Easton, March 9, 1877.

Oliver Ames stood among the foremost in his reputation for a manly and unblemished character, and for business ability, - a reputation he well deserved. No one could be with him without seeing that he was a strong, substantial, able, and honorable man. His name was felt to be a sufficient indorsement of the worth and promise of any enterprise. Though Oakes Ames, with characteristic courage, took the initiative in the magnificent undertaking of constructing the Union Pacific Railroad, his brother, by the co-operation of his sound judgment as well as by his financial support, shares in the honor of that splendid achievement. Business cares were not, however, allowed to engross all his attention. He continued, to the last, his interest in literature, kept himself familiar with the great questions that agitate thought and life, enjoyed the society of cultivated persons, and often surprised them by the clearness and comprehensiveness of his carefully-formed opinions. In his character there were blended an admirable simplicity and a most cordial fellow-feeling with a real dignity and refinement. He was noted for his generosity. No help was denied any object that commanded his confidence; but he shrank from all publicity in his benefactions. He had a high sense of honor that was prompt to rebuke anything mean and dishonorable. He was not only a philanthropic, but he was also a religious man, with a strong faith in God and in immortality, - a faith that at the last ripened into glad anticipation. All his benefactions will never be known, but those he was known to have bestowed were most wisely made, and are doing a good that is incalculable. Reference has already been made in the sketch of Easton to some of his large bequests, to his gifts of a fund of fifty thousand dollars each for the schools, the roads, and for a free public library, as well as his gift of the beautiful and costly church to the Unitarian Society. Besides these may be mentioned his gift of about thirty-five thousand dollars for the Plymouth monument, ten thousand for building Unity Church parsonage, and two other bequests of the same amount to keep the church, parsonage, and cemetery in repair. In these gifts, and by the influence of his noble character, he has signally blessed his town, and has left behind him a perpetual memorial of good. Oliver Ames' children were Frederick Lothrop Ames, born June 8, 1835, and Helen Angier Ames, born Nov. 11, 1836, and died Dec. 13, 1882.

E. J. W. Morse

Edward J. W. Morse was a descendant in the eighth generation from Samuel Morse, who was of a Norman family of high antiquity, and was born in Devonshire, England, in 1585, and came to New England in ship "Increase," April 15, 1635, settled first in Watertown, in 1(337 in Dedham, and died at Medfield, Mass., June 20, 1654. In 1635 he was one of a company who settled a tract of land south of the Charles River. The next year they changed the name of their town from Contentment to Dedham, the General Court passing an act Sept. 10, 1636, incorporating it. In this movement Samuel Morse was the leader, and was chosen collector. "The first set- tiers of Dedham were a remarkable collection of people. Tradition brings down a bigh character attached to most of the names on its early records, and their public and private acts fully confirm it. Orderly and industrious in their habits, they allowed no one to remain in the community who was not engaged in some regular occupation. Any violation of rules was followed by a penalty, yet the most exact strictness was accompanied by equally unfailing kindness." Samuel was townsman (selectman), 1640-42; treasurer, collector, etc. A monument to his memory and others of his family stands in the town of Medfield. He married his wife Elizabeth in England, and their seven children were probably all born there.

His son John (second generation), born 1611, inherited the homestead in Dedham. This he soon sold, and went to Boston to become a merchant tailor. In 1655 he went to England, making his will the same year. He died in 1657, leaving his widow, Annis, with forty pounds. His other property, inventoried at three hundred and eighty-seven pounds, nine shillings, five pence, was to be equally divided among his eight surviving children. One of these was Joseph (third generation). He married, Nov. 12, 1668, Priscilla Colburne, and settled in Medford, near " Death's Bridge," where he " built a house in the time of King Philip's war," and died in 1689. His second son, Joseph (fourth generation), graduated at Harvard in 1695, became A.M., and was pastor of the church in Canton for twenty years from 1707. He was persecuted out of the pulpit, but remained a member until his death, in 1749, at seventy-one years. His estate was inventoried at seventeen hundred and sixty-three pounds, five shillings, six pence, his library at thirty-five pounds, and his plate at thirtyseven pounds, ten shillings. By his wife Amity he had six children. Henry (fifth generation) married Abigail Clapp, at Stoughton ; had six children, one of whom was Asa (sixth generation). He was born Nov. 7, 1752, married Hannah Griggs, of Roxbury, in 1778, resided in Canton, and had seven children, one being James (seventh generation). He married Lucy Whiting, lived in Dedham, was a musician and clerk of a military company, and a hatter by occupation.

Edward J. W. Morse was born in Dedham, Mass., and had a common school education, and from an early age worked in cotton-mills in Mansfield and Dedham as mule-spinner, and from a low round on fortune's ladder rose step by step to occupy a high financial standing by his attentive industry and the force of his strong individuality. He came to Easton about 1828 to take charge of a cotton-cloth factory as agent and manager at the early age of nineteen, and ever after made his home here. He was connected with business in the same building in which he commenced his labors at the time of his death. (It was built in 1802, and is still standing.)

thread, under the firm-name of E. J. W. Morse & Co. This name is still continued in the business, which is now conducted by his son, Edward N. Morse, and his grandsons. He established his business in eight other places, and was a general partner in each manufactory. Six were in Easton, one in Kingston, Mass., one in Portsmouth, N. H., and one in Milford, N. H. The building up of this enormous business in twentythree years indicates something of the push and business ability of Mr. Morse. At the time of his death, Aug. 17, 1865, he was the largest land-owner in Easton, and was but fifty-six years old. He was uniformly successful in his undertakings, and, although a Whig in politics, attended to his business strictly, leaving to those who cared for them the emoluments and honors of official place. He joined the Congregational Church at the age of seventeen, and continued in its fellowship during life. He had decided musical tastes. When but eighteen was a member of the Medfield Brass Band, was leader of the church choir of Easton for years, bought for the church its first organ and was its organist, and retained the same position when the larger one was introduced.

He was liberal to all good objects, social and full of humor in his associations with others, and, while very affable and courteous, was of prompt decision and resolute character. He could and would say " No" to all plans or schemes which his judgment did not approve. Positive in his own convictions, he was very considerate of the opinions of others, did much to mold public opinion, and had many warm and stanch friends.

He married Eliza O, daughter of Daniel and Catharine Newcomb. She was a direct descendant of Francis Newcomb, the emigrant. (See biography of Nathaniel Newcomb, of Norton.) She first came to Easton on the day of her marriage to Mr. Morse, May 17, 1830, and shortly after united with the Congregational Church, with which she was in communion for many years and until her death, at the ripe age of seventy-seven years, April 9, 1883. The last few years of her life she was prevented by poor health from taking the active part in the church and benevolent causes which she had been wont to take, but her interest was unabated, her zeal never flagged, and her heartfelt sympathy and generous assistance were given to every call for aid. "She stretched out her hand to the poor; yea, she stretched out her hand to the needy."

Edward N. Morse, born Oct. 12, 1831, succeeded to his father in manufacturing, married, Oct. 4, 1854, Hannah Alice, daughter of Deacon John and Elizabeth (Bassett) Bryant, of New Bedford, Mass. Their children are Caroline A. (married Abner J. Towne, of Boston), Edward J. W. and Gertrude B. (twins), Alfred B., Grace N. (deceased), Justin N., and Florence W.

John Kimball

The Kimball family is one of the oldest in New- England. It sprang from Richard Kimball, who, with his wife Ursula and seven children, left their home in England, braved the dangers of a stormy ocean, landed on the inhospitable shores of an unbroken wilderness, and commenced a new life, deprived of the comforts and luxuries of civilization, but blest with civil and religious liberty. He came from the old town of Ipswich, England, on the ship " Elizabeth," and in 1634, at the age of thirty-nine, settled in Ipswich, in Massachusetts Bay Colony. The next year he was admitted a freeman, which fact proves him a Puritan in good standing. He was the father of eleven children, and died June 22, 1675. From this patriarch most of the New England Kimballs are descended.

John Kimball, son of Isaac and Rebecca (Evans) Kimball, was born in Easton, Mass., Jan. 1, 1810, in the building now (1883) occupied by his son George as a store. His father was born in Easton, Sept. 18, 1770, married Nov. 15, 1797, Rebecca Evans, born in South Reading, Oct. 15, 1776. They began housekeeping where John was born. Isaac was a trader, in early life a carpenter, and built the house spoken of, and kept it as an inn and small store. It was a stage station, where the aristocratic and pretentious coaches changed horses, and in those days the "innkeeper" was a man of consequence. Isaac and Rebecca had four children who grew up. Betsey (second wife of Barzillia Drake), Rebecca (first wife of Barzillia Drake), John, and Sarah, who married Calvin Keith. Mr. Kimball died Aug. 28, 1848, aged seventy-six. His wife died April 21, 1813. Ammi Kimball, father of Isaac, came to Easton in early life, and was a laboring man, attaining a good length of days.

John Kimball had a common-school education merely, remained with his father as clerk from the age of ten, and finally succeeded him in business in 1834. For twenty-one years he was in trade, devoting himself closely to business, and was prosperous withal. In 1855 he retired from merchandising with wealth, and was succeeded by Drake & Goward, who were in trade, eleven years. In 1866, John T. Kimball succeeded them, and after six years he was succeeded (in 1872) by his brother, George L., who now occupies his father's and grandfather's stand. Mr. John Kimball is Republican in politics, and was postmaster for nineteen years from 1863 to 1882, was town clerk and treasurer from 1853 to 1872, selectman and overseer of the poor from 1860 to 1872, and was representative from Easton to the Massachusetts Legislature in 1857. He married, April 30, 1833, Lusanna Williams, who was born in Easton, Aug. 5, 1814. She was daughter of Lieut. Seth and Sarah (Mitchell) Williams, and is a lineal descendant of | Richard Williams, the early settler of Taunton. (See history of Taunton.) The descent and brief history of her immediate ancestors is this: Benjamin

Source changes here: from History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, by Hurd, Duane Hamilton, [from Old Catalog] Ed, published 1883; 16,376 words in this source stream.

Easton Town

The town of Easton is situated in the northeast corner of Bristol County. It is bounded on the north by Stoughton and Sharon, on the east by Brockton and West Bridgewater, on the south by Raynham, Taunton, and Norton, and on the west by Norton and Mansfield. It derived its name from its location with reference to the town of Norton, of which it originally formed a part; it was the East Precinct of that town, and became the East Town, or Easton. Its area is twenty-nine square miles, or, more precisely, eighteen thousand five hundred and eighty-four square acres, of which three hundred and seventy acres are water. The underlying geological formation is in the northerly half sienite, and in the southern half a conglomerate sometimes called graywacke. There are a number of acres, perhaps two or three hundred, in which bog-iron ore is found, and where it has been dug with profit. The surface of Easton is quite level, the north part of the town having, however, a pleasant variety of elevation. Considerable swamp-land exists, especially in the southern portion, where is located what is known as the Great Cedar Swamp. There are some ponds artificially made for manufacturing purposes, and occupying altogether about three hundred and seventy acres. Tlie two largest streams are Leach's Stream, once called Mulberry Meadow Brook, in the west part, and Queset River, which is in the northeastern part, and on which stand the Ames Shovel-Works. The soil is not above the average quality for this section. Wise management and hard work are needed to make farming pay even a small profit.

The population of Easton is about four thousand. At the census of 1880 it was precisely three thousand nine hundred and one. Easton Centre is twenty-four miles south of Boston, twelve north of Taunton, and twenty-seven north of Fall River. It is twentytwo miles from the sea-shore in a direct line. It is on the Old Colony Railroad, on the main line from Boston to Fall River and Newport, and has two railroad stations. It has three villages, each with a post-ofilce. The principal village is North Easton, which contained a population of two thousand one hundred and fifty-six in 1880, considerably over half of the whole population of the town. The other villages are Easton, or the Furnace village, and South Easton. The chief industry of North Easton, the industry in fact which has built up this village, is shovel-making. Another important business here is the manufacture of hinges. There are two bootand shoe-factories, and the New England Specialty Company, which manufactures screw-drivers and a variety of similar articles. There are also twelve stores, including markets, drug-store, etc. South Easton has the cotton-thread factory of E. J. W. Morse & Co., a grist-mill, machine-shop, two shoefactories, a wheelwright-shop, and two stores. The Furnace village (post-oflice address, Easton) has two foundries or furnaces, two saw-mills, and two stores. In the southeast part of the town mathematical and scientific instruments are manufactured. These is also a small grist-mill in the west part, and one in the northeast part. All these industries of the town are merely alluded to here; they will be more particularly described farther on.

North Easton village presents many points of special interest and attraction. There are several costly and other handsome dwelling-houses, among which may be mentioned those of F. L. Ames, Oliver Ames, Oakes A. Ames, Mrs. Oliver Ames, E. W. Gilmore, George W. Kennedy, and Unity Church parsonage. The residences of F. L. Ames and Oliver Ames are within a large and beautiful park, which is open to the public for driving and walking, a privilege that is highly appreciated. An immense greenhouse filled with rare and costly plants, and containing a collection of orchids hardly second to any in the United States, forms a great attraction. At one of the entrances to these grounds has been recently erected a most unique and interesting lodge-house. It is built of large, roundish, moss-covered stones taken from stone walls or from the surface of the ground and cemented together. Its two sections are connected by a massive and splendid archway which forms the entrance to the park. The walls are low, the chimneys large and of stone like the walls, and the roof is covered with red tiles.

Some of the public buildings of this village are costly and handsome. The school-Iiouse is a large three-story building, in which are eleven large and convenient school-rooms. Besides the extensive greenhouses of F. L. Ames, excellent green-houses are owned by Mrs. Oliver Ames, E. W. Gilmore, and Oakes A. Ames. Unity Church is a beautiful stone edifice, Gothic in style, cruciform in shape, with a solid stone spire surmounted by a stone cross. It has a chapel connected with it, and below the auditorium is a church-parlor. This church was dedicated in August, 1875. It was built by Hon. Oliver Ames two years before his death, and was by him presented as a free gift to the Unitarian Society. John A. Mitchell was the architect.

The public library building is also an attractive edifice, built of the native stone, a pinkisli granite called sienite, with brown sandstone trimmings. It is elaborately finished jnside with polished butternut and black-walnut woods. Over ten thousand books were provided, and the library opened to the public March 10, 1883. This library was founded by a bequest of Hon. Oliver Ames just mentioned. Near the library building, a little higher up on the hill, is the massive and handsome public hall, built as a memorial to Oakes Ames by his children. It stands on the solid foundation of a natural ledge, from the northeast corner of which rises the tower. It has in front an arcade with heavy pillars and arches, and is approached by wide stone staircases terminating on stone platforms, and so combined with the natural stonework as to present an imposing appearance. In this building on the first floor are two small halls, the large hall on the second floor, and a beautifully-decorated and furnished Masonic Hall in the third story. H. H. Richardson was the architect of this hall and of the library. In front of this hall is a triangular piece of ground, upon which the Ames corporation are now building, from designs of Frederick Law Olmstead, an extensive cairn or rockwork two hundred and fifty feet long and twenty-five feet high at one end, with an archway passing underneath. This will eventually be covered with vines and shrubbery, and will, with the lawn, flower-beds, and walks which will surround it, add much to the beauty and attractiveness of this locality.

There are three church edifices in this village, - Unity Church, already spoken of, a large Catholic Church, and a Methodist Church. On Washington Street, one mile east of the village, is another Methodist Church. In the centre of the town is the Easton Unitarian Church, now closed except for occasional services, the lower story of which is used for a town hall. The church of the Evangelical Society was destroyed by fire in 1882, and a new building will be erected this year (1883). Between these churches stands the new soldiers' monument, erected in 1882 at a cost of five thousand dollars, upon which are inscribed the names of forty-seven townsmen who were killed in the war of the Rebellion.

There are in North Easton a national bank and a savings-bank. One is known as the First iSIational Bank of Easton, the other as the North Easton Savings-Bank. Of these Frederic L. Ames is president and P. A. Giftbrd cashier. The savings-bank has considerable influence in promoting thrifty habits among the working-people, many of whom frequently deposit jjortions of their wages therein. The town has its proportion of social and other organizations. Besides those connected with the churches may be mentioned the Paul Dean Lodge of Masons, of which George K. Davis is the present Master ; the Mizpah Star Lodge of the Daughters of Eebekah, the A. B. Randall Post, No. 52, Grand Army of the Republic, Ellis Holbrook commander ; a division of the Sons of Temperance, an organization of the Knights of Honor, etc., the headquarters of all the above being at North Easton, except that of the army post, which is at South Easton.

The town of Easton is represented in the State government for this year by Hon. Oliver Ames, Lieutenant-Governor; Hon. L. S. Drake, State senator; and Mr. George A. Lackey, representative to the State Legislature.

The assessed value of real estate in Easton for May 1,1882, was $1,158,800; the assessed value of personal property $2,212,537. The corporation tax was $8617.85, national bank tax $3545.20, State tax $3320, county tax $2924.92, town tax .$13,717.92. The rate of taxation was $5.50 on $1000; the number of dwelling-houses taxed was 730 ; acres of land taxed, 16,- 165; horses taxed, 410; cows taxed, 425. The number of polls was 1068. There was appropriated for the poor $5000, for schools $8577.92, for roads $2000, but for school and road purposes there are large special funds available. The number of births registered for 1882 was eighty-nine, the number of nuirriages forty-one, the number of deaths one hundred and eleven. The board of selectmen, assessors, and overseers of the poor, the board of school committee, and that of road commissioners numbers three men each.

The town of Easton is singularly fortunate in regard to the means at its disposal for educational and other purposes. The educational privileges will be spoken of farther on. A fund of fifty thousand dollars was left by the late Hon. Oliver Ames for the improvement of roads. The income of this fund, four thousand dollars, in addition to the amount annually appropriated by the town, will soon provide roads that will equal if not surpass those of any town in the commonwealth. For a place of the size of Easton the public library is large, and is exceptionally fine.

Taxes are very low, being for 1882 but five dollars and fifty cents on one thousand dollars, and less than that for 1883. It is less than an hour's ride from Boston, and has increasing attractions and advantages that render it a very desirable place of residence.

History. - The town of Easton was incorporated Dec. 21, 1725. It was previously a part of the town of Norton, which was incorporated in 1711, and of which, in 1718, it was made the East Precinct, being set apart for the maintenance of a minister. Previous to this time it was part of a tract of land called Taunton North Purchase. This tract included the whole of what is now Easton, nearly all of Mansfield, and about a third of Norton. When first incorporated Norton included all this tract and considerably more, Easton being the older and Mansfield the younger child of that town. The North Purchase was bought by fifty-three of the citizens of Taunton of the agents of Plymouth Colony.

The first town-meeting of Easton was held March 2, 1726. It will be best to consider this subject, the history of Easton, under several different divisions.

Industrial History. - The limits assigned to this sketch of the history of Easton will not allow any very detailed narrative of the growth and decline oi the various business enterprises that existed here previous to the present century. At the time of the incorporation of the town (December, 1725) there were certainly two, probably three, iron forges in operation. One was established in 1724, at what was then known as Cranberry Meadow Pond, and is now called the Dean farm, owned by F. L. Ames. The other was established by the Leonards, who were celebrated iron-workers, and was in successful operation before 1724, but how long before has not yet been determined. This forge was in what is now North Easton, at the lower end of Stone's Pond. Several saw-mills were running at the same time in different parts ol the town. There was at least one grist-mill, and probably more. The forge business at the Dean farm place continued until about 1750. A saw-mill was then built to take its place. About the same time the furnace at Furnace village was established. At the time of the Revolutionary war this furnace was owned by Capt. James Perry, who manufactured among other things cannon and cannon-balls. It afterwards passed into the hands of Gen. Shepard Leach, by whom a flourishing business was carried on. Large quantities of bog-iron ore were dug from the swampy lands in the west part of town, and were used at this furnace.

In the northeast part of the town the forge business continued through the last century. Before its close two forges were in operation there, the second one being on what is known as the Quaker Leonard road, In the year 1775 or 1776 the manufacture of steel was begun in Easton by Eliphalet Leonard, who was grandson to James, the founder of the first forge in town, Jonathan Leonard, son of the Eliphalet just named, is authority for the statement that this was the first attempt to manufacture steel in this country. Such statements must, however, be received with great caution. Eliphalet Leonard was led to that attempt by the great scarcity of steel in this country, then in great demand for the manufacture of firearms, which were needed for the defense of our liberties. He constructed several furnaces, and was able to supply himself and his neighbors with steel. In 1787, Jonathan Leonard having, by means of extraordinary shrewdness, of which curious things are told, " obtained further insight into this business, erected at Easton a furnace capable of making three tons at a batch." In ISOS he erected another furnace here of over three times the capacity of the first. The Leonards manufactured fii-earms, which are well remembered by our old inhabitants. In 1792, Calvin Brett erected a small factory in the south part of the town for the mauufecture of linseed-oil. It was built as a windmill, but did not prove a success.

Since the year 1800 a great many business enterprises have been undertaken, have had their day, and have passed away. To take up and give in detail the account of these enterprises would be interesting, but will be impossible in this brief historic sketch. Of the earlier ones the mere mention must suffice. At what is now the Morse privilege at South Easton there was at the beginning of the century a saw-mill owned by Josiah Copeland. He afterwards with others ran an oil-mill. About 1805 the same parties started a factory for the manufacture of cotton yarn, and afterwards of cotton cloth. It continued until 1834, when E. J. W. Morse, a native of Dedham, Mass., commenced the cotton thread business. Under the name E. J. W. Morse & Co., South Easton, cotton thread manufacturers, this business became successful, and has continued uninterruptedly down to the present time. This company employs about fifty hands.

At the privilege next below, now the property of T. H. and J. O. Dean, some kind of active enterprise has been going on for nearly two centuries. From a time preceding the incorporation of the town until now the grist-mill business has been carried on there. Not much else seems to have been done there until about 1810, when Elijah Howard & Co. started the forge business, and manufactured bar-iron, nail rods, etc. But a disastrous fire, which burned an amount of charcoal worth more than the whole capital invested in the business, brought this enterprise to a close. The same company then began the manufacture of cut nails, at that time a new invention. This continued until about 1823. In 1825 or 1826, Elijah Howard and Capt. Barzillai Dean began to make cotton cloth. In 1836 or 1837, Capt. Dean bought the entire interest, and manufactured cotton print goods of light texture. Capt. Dean died by accident in 1848, and from that time this factory, since enlarged, has been a machine-shop, and, with the gristmill, is the property of T. H. and J. 0. Dean. In the machine-shop are manufactured pianoforte machinery, wood slipper heels, etc.

The privilege next below was once used for sawmill purposes, but soon after the beginning of the present century a carding-mill was started there. It then was used for a fulling-mill. vSubsequently in one building satinet was manufactured, and in another cotton yarn. Asa R. Howard made hoes there. The manufacture of shoe-pegs was engaged in, and in 1848 Solomon W. Morse bought the whole privilege and made cotton cloth. It was then purchased by E. J. W. Morse, and has since lain idle most of the time.

At the Furnace village at the opening of the century Gen. Shepard Leach carried on a successful furnace business. In 1837, Capt. Lincoln Drake established the malleable iron works, under the firmname of A. Boyden & Co. It went under that name for about two years, and was under the superintendence of Mr. Boyden. Daniel Belcher then took charge of the business for Capt. Drake. About the year 1840 brass castings were for a while also made. In 1849, Daniel Belcher bought out the business, and since that time it has run constantly, except for a few weeks after the works were destroyed by fire. The castings are for agricultural implements, carriage and saddlery castings, cotton and woolen machinery, and many similar things that take the place of difficult forgings. These castings are sent all over the country. This firm, known as the Daniel Belcher Malleable Iron Works, enjoys a high reputation for the excellence of its work. It employs thirty men. Near by is the foundry of L. S. and A. L. Drake, successors, in 1872, to Capt. Lincoln Drake, who organized this business in 1833. This firm employs twenty-five men. Its castings in 1881 were of about seven hundred tons weight, and they are largely for machine purposes, school-house work, hot-water heating apparatus, etc. In this village, farther south, and not far from 1830, there was an oil-mill. In 1854, Keith, Rotch & Co. were running a thread-factory. Pratt, Belclier & Co. carried on the same kind of business. In 1844 the first belt saw-mill erected in this vicinity was built by Lewis Williams and his son, Edward D. Williams. It has been running .since that time, and is the property of the latter at this time. James Belcher also runs a saw-mill now in this village on the old gristmill privilege.

In the south part of the town, in the year 1828, J. and H. M. Poole began the manufacture of mathematical instruments on a small scale. A strong prejudice for foreign-made instruments was only slowly overcome. Poole's work was found not only to equal but to excel the imported. In 1878, John M. Poole, who had for twenty-five years been foreman, succeeded to the business. He manufactures surveyors' transits, builders' levels, land and telescopic compasses, and many other instruments of this kind.

John Poole was, after a while, associated with Charles Poole in the manufacture of thermometers. Farther north, on the turnpike, Guilford White, in 1850, began the manufacture of shoes, and continued it for six years. For several years afterwards the same business was conducted by Horatio Thayer and Nathaniel R. Packard. At the same time Lewis Tliayer manufactured shoes, and so continued from 18.56 to 1870. Irving and Emory Packard began the manufacture of shoes there in 1864-65, and their business still continues. On the other road, just south of the Dean Works, Samuel Simpson has for years carried on the wheelwright business.

At the beginning of the century industrial enterprises of some importance were conducted in the northeast part of Easton. Northwest of the present site of the Ames Shovel-Works, near what is called the Picker field, there was a grist-mill. There was also a cotton-picking machine in operation. Capt. John Ames manufactured knives there, and at what is called the "Hoe-Shop" Nathan Pratt manufactures hoes. Clo.se to the present location of the Ames office was another grist-mill, and still lower down was the cotton-factory of the Easton Manufacturing Company. At the lower end of Stone's Pond steel was being manufactured when the century began. Soon a grist-mill was added, afterwards there was a nail-factory ; then William G. Andrews and Elijah Howard began the manufacture of cotton yarn. After a while they provided looms and made cotton sheeting. Gurden Stone succeeded William G. Andrews in the business, which was carried on until 1837, when Jason G. Howard bought out Mr. Stone. In 1839 nine tack-machines were put in and the tack business was begun. Edward J. W. Morse subsequently rented a part of the works and manufactured knitting-cotton. In 1852, Mr. Howard sold the place to Oliver Ames, by whom it was used, as it is still used, for shovel-works. Steel was also being made in 1800 at the now Calvin Marshall place, where firearms were manufactured. Jonathan Leonard and his father were here, and this was the scene of the disastrous attempt at lead-mining. At this place was also a mill for breaking flax.

At the lower end of what is now called Shovel Shop Pond there was a dam with a grist-mill, nailer's shop, and iron forge with trip-hammer, etc. This property was purchased by Oliver Ames, the founder of the great shovel business. He had manufactured hoes and shovels here before this time, but had moved to Plymouth. He subsequently returned, and began in a small way the establishment of the now world-famous Ames' shovel business. Having built a new dam and enlarged the Shovel Shop Pond, he renewed at the lower end of this pond the manufacture he had engaged in some years before farther up the stream. It is but repeating a familiar story to say that shovels were slowly made at first, a few at a time, that the first made were carried to market in a one-horse wagon when one load was almost sufficient to glut the market, that the one-horse wagon gave place to the six-horse team until the railroad was available. Oliver Ames purchased land farther up the stream. In 1852 the factory at the lower end of Shovel Shop Poud proved too small to accommodate the increasing business, and a substantial two-story stone building was erected five hundred and thirty feet long, to which additions were subsequently made. Several other shops were afterwards erected near by, and there are others in different parts of the village where water-power is available. Steam-power is, however, the main reliance. Every description of shovel is made, - long and short handled, square and roundpoint shovels, spades, grain and coal scoops, post-hole diggers, and other varieties. These are sent not only throughout the United States, but to South America, to parts of Asia and Africa, and to Australia.

An intelligent Englishman visited these works with the writer, and was curious to know how the raw material, steel and iron, could be imported and duties paid thereon, and yet shovels be exported to English provinces, to Australia for instance. Standing before an ingenious machine, he exclaimed, "I see clearly enough how it is, it is your wonderful labor-saving machines. If such a machine as that were set up in one of our shovel-works, our trades unions would have the building in ashes before the next morning, though in so doing they drive business away, and hence injure the working men they profess to benefit. Our manufacturers, too, are very conservative, and are slow to adopt improvements." Those who desire to read a detailed description of the whole process of shovel-making in these works may find it in an article published in the Atlantic Monthly of about 1870, written by Azel Ames, Jr. The Ames corporation have additional shops in Canton, South Braintree, and West Bridgewater. If all the stone shops which they use for the shovel business were placed end to end they would reach about twenty-five hundred feet, or nearly half a mile. Five hundred men are employed in this shovel business. They manufacture from 110,000 to 125,000 dozens of shovels per year. Taking the average of these figures, 117,500 dozens, we have the incredible number of 1,410,000 shovels per year, or 27,115 per week, 4519 per day, 451 per hour. From 1200 to 1500 tons of Swedish iron, and from 1200 to 1400 tons of steel are annually used in this manufacture.

The business of next importance in town is the manufacture of hinges by E. W. Gilmore. In 1854 the firm of E. W. Gilmore & Co., the other partners being Oakes Ames and Oliver Ames, began in a small way the manufacture of strap- and T-hinges, ship-scrapers, wrought iron washers, and other articles. This business was begun in the building formerly used by the Ames Company for the manutacture of shovels. In 1871, E. W. Gilmore bought out the Ames' interest in the business first named. He then built the large works which he now occupies, and moved into them in January, 1872. His power is furnished by a sixty horse-power Corliss engine. Mr. Gilmore is a practical and ingenious machinist, and from time to time has invented and introduced important improvements in the way of machinery and labor-saving processes. By this means, by hard work of brain and hand, he achieved success. When full of work he employs about seventy-five men and boys, making about fifteen thousand strap- and T-hinges per day, besides other articles.

In 1851 was organized in North Easton the firm of A. A. Gilmore & Co., the other members of the firm being Elisha T. Andrews and Oakes A. Ames. They manufactured fine calf-skin boots in a building owned by Cyrus Lothrop. Oakes Ames succeeded to the interest first owned by Oakes A. Ames. In 1870, Messrs. Gilmore and Andrews bought out Oakes Ames. This firm, which for some time did quite an extensive business, gave up the manufacture of boots in 1879, but the firm did not dissolve until death broke up the long partnership, Mr. Andrews dying in 1883.

In 185.5, William Andrews built what is known as the Brett Shop, and went into the business of shoe manufacture with Ward L. Foster; but the business crisis of 1857 made this attempt a failure. The firm of Pratt, Foster & Co. manufiictured for a while in the same building. In 1863, George Brett manufactured ladies' shoes in this building for E. H. Johnson, of Lynn. In 1855 he went into business in the .same place for himself, and continued it for ten years, when it was closed.

In 1865 John B. King with P. A. GiflTord as partner began to make boots and shoes. In 1871 Mr. King bought out his partner's interest, and has conducted a successful business ever since. He now employs about fifty hands in his work; his goods go chiefly West and Northwest. In the fall of 1880, D. H. Packard began the manufacture of shoes in North Easton. The firm is now D. H. Packard & Co. They employ about fifty hands. In March, 1880, A. J. Leavitt established a business which goes under the name of the New England Specialty Company. He manufactures a large variety of such articles as screwdrivers, can openers, sewing-macliine trimmings, steel keys, etc. William King owns a small factory where he makes awls, various kinds of cement, and other goods.

This long journey through the various manufactures of the three principal villages of the town where nearly everything has been or is made, brings us at last to " The Centre," where, in 1880, Reed & Lincoln began the manufacture of quite a variety of shoes. At the present time this firm employs twentyfive hands.

Educational. - The history of school matters in an ordinary counti-y town does not furnish material for an extended or for a very interesting narrative. Our ancestors were much more interested in churches than in schools, and they expended very much more for their religious than for their educational privileges. But they were not unmindful of the latter, and they illustrated the need of it, for some even of the prominent men, and more of the women, were unable to write, and were obliged on old deeds, wills, surveys, etc., which the writer has seen, to " make their mark." It was provided in the articles of incorporation of the town of Easton that, within six months from the time of the publication of such articles, the town should " procure and maintain a school-master to instruct their youth in writing and reading." Th-e town records do not show, however, any very liberal provision for education, even taking into account the character of the times. The following verbatim extract from the town records will suffice to illustrate the too common spirit of town-meeting legislation upon the subject : " Easton March the thirty-first day 1727 at a Leagall meeting of the Inhabitants of said town for to make choice of a schoUmaster and to rais money to pay him and to appoint a place for the schoU to be kept : &c. 1 we made choice of Josiah Keith Moderator for said meeting. 21y a vote was called for to give fourty pounds to a schoUmaster for one year to keep scholl but not voted. Sly a vote was called for to give twenty pounds schoUmaster to keep schoU one year but not voted. 41y a vote was called for to give ten pounds to a schoUmaster to keep scholl for one year but not voted. 51y a vote was called for to give five pounds to a schoUmaster to keep scholl for one year but not voted. 61y voted and agreed to give three pounds to a schoUmaster for one year to teach youths to Read and to writ and to keep it at his own House and to find himself diet."

What a change in school affairs from the time when the school-master of Easton must provide a schoolroom, do the teaching, and board himself for fifteen dollars a year, and to-day, when he gets fifteen hundred dollars !

There is nothing, down to a very recent date, of sufiicient interest to enter into a narrative of this kind. The High School of Easton was organized in 1868, first as a peripatetic institution, moving into different sections of the town for different terms ; but before long it was permanently located at North Easton, because more than half the scholars were there. The district system was abolished in 1869, and this change, here as elsewhere, has had a beneficial result.

On May 1, 1882, there were in Easton (population, 3901) 822 children between five and fifteen years of age. On the school registers for that year there were enrolled the names of 903 different scholars. Of these 99 were over fifteen years of age, and 11 were under five years. The amount appropriated for the support of schools for the same year was $8577.92. This amount is the exact average per scholar of the appropriation for schools for all the towns in Massachuft setts, not includiug the cities, for the preceding year. Tlie average attendance of scliolars for the year was 620, and the percentage of attendance was .79. There are twenty schools in town, eleven of tliem, including the High School, being at North Easton, and two at the Furnace village, all of which are graded schools, the remaining seven being mixed schools.

In pecuniary means for educational purposes the town of Easton probably stands first in the list of towns in the State. By the will of Hon. Oliver Ames, who died in 1877, it was endowed with the large bequest of fifty thousand dollars for the support of schools. In order that such a fund might not tempt the town to reduce its appropriations, the will provides that it shall be forfeited unless the town shall every year appropriate for the support of schools an amount per scholar equal to the average amount per scholar appropriated by all the towns of the State. The income of this fund is four thousand dollars per year, and it is used for general school purposes. Besides this, there is another fund of fifty thousand dollars, left by Hdu. Oakes Ames, for the benefit of the children of North Easton village. By the aid of this fund the High School is being furnished with excellent apparatus, various chemical and mechanical instruments, including microscope with numerous specimens, a skeleton, and a manikin recently sent from Paris.

Courses of lectures, chiefly illustrated, are given in the large Ames' Memorial Hall. These, though primarily for the benefit of the children, are open to the general public, have been enjoyed by large audiences, and cannot but be attended with excellent results. With the income of this fund magazines appropriate to the ages of different scholars are subscribed for nearly every family of children in North Easton ; and in order that all the children in town may have the same privilege, Lieutenant-Governor Ames pays for the subscription of magazines for children in parts of the town outside of this village. Over three hundred copies of the Saint Nicholas alone come into town, and a magazine of some kind goes into every family where there are children attending the public schools.

The liberal funds provided enable the school committee to secure teachers of exceptional ability, to provide supplementary books and other means for conducting the schools in the best manner. Music and drawing have been taught by a special teacher, and in the North Easton schools sewing has been taught for several years, with most marked beneficial results. The excellent public library just opened with over ten thousand carefully-selected books furnishes an important auxiliary to the educational advantages of the place, and it will be the fault of the school committee if these are not in time of the highest order.

Chapter Xxxl

As the town of Easton was incorporated long after King Philip's war, there is nothing to record in regard to any warfare with the Indians. We have but little knowledge of the part taken by the citizens of Easton in the French and Indian war of 1754-63. The most prominent figure of that time is Capt. Nathaniel Perry, who raised a company of men for the defense of the eastern frontier. His commission as captain was dated June 6, 1754, and signed by Governor Shirley. He enlisted a company of ninety-six men, of whom only sixteen were from Easton. Easton was then waging an ecclesiastical w.ar in its own borders of the most violent and embittered kind, and therefore came to the question of the French and Indian war with exhausted energies. Capt. Perry saw considerable active service in Nova Scotia, assisted under Gen. Shirley in the capture of Fort Cumberland, and in 1756 was mustered out by death. Easton was very active during the Revolutionary war, and sustained her part in that memorable struggle. The town records of this period are full of allusions to the subject, and are, indeed, largely composed of reports of the business of the town related to the war. The first of such records bears the date of April 3, 1775. It was then voted to raise fifty minute-men, twenty-five out of each military company in town. The battle of Lexington occurred April 19, 1775, and on this day these fifty minute-men, under the command of Capt. Macey Williams, started for the seat of war. Being enlisted merely as minute-men for what was called " the Lexington alarm," they were out for only a brief service, viz., nine days. On the 4th of May another town-meeting is called. A bounty is voted every soldier who has enlisted or shall enlist and who will provide himself with a blanket. A committee is chosen to procure blankets for those who refuse or neglect to procure them for themselves.

Town-meetings follow each other in quick succession. The change of feeling towards the king is indicated by the significant fact that the term "Majesty," which had previously been prefixed to his j name, is now dropped, and he is simply called ; " George the Third." Even that term soon disappears, and we have no more allusion to royal authority. Our citizens partake of the common excitement that stirred our countrymen after the battle of Bunker Hill. Every available offiensive weapon is hunted up and brought into service. Investigation shows that the town is short of ammunition, and one of the citizens, David Manley, is despatched to Newport for powder, ball, and flints. The Boston Port Bill had impoverished many of the Bostonians, some of whom had to be sent for support to surrounding towns.

as were then in town. A committee of " correspondence and inspection" toolv general charge of war matters here. A committee was chosen " to incorage the manufacturin of Sault Peter in this town." On the first anniversary of the battle of Bunker Hill, in a notable town-meeting, the citizens vote that " if the Honerubel Continantal Congress, for the safety of the United Colonies, Declare themselves indepandent of Great Breton, we ingage Even at the Eesque of life and fotin to do Whatever is in our Power to soport them in sd. measure." Soon followed the declaration of independence, and Rev. Archibald Campbell, the minister of Easton, read that heart-stirring document to a large and eagerly-listening a.ssembly on Sunday next after July 17, 1776. It was then handed to Blatthew Hayward, who, like every other town clerk in Massachusetts, proudly recorded it in his town records.

Among the military offit'ers from Easton one of the most prominent was Col. Abial Mitchell. He was appointed major May 19, 1775, and received his commission as colonel June 17, 1779. He was prominent in town atfairsj and served as representative to the General Court for twenty-one years. He served in the army until the close of the Revolutionary war, and many interesting incidents are told of his courage and prowess. These incidents, interesting as they are, cannot be narrated here, as they would too much lengthen this necessarily brief sketch.

Another of Easton's heroes in the war was Capt. Elisha Harvey. He was in the artillery service, and as he did not die until 1821, he is still (188.3) held in remembrance by some of the older inhabitants of the town. He was the hero of a brave action at the battle of Brooklyn Heights, where, in face of the advancing enemy and after his men had deserted their guns, he touched off two loaded cannon, and then turned the gun-carriages about and sent them rolling down the bluff into the water. He then rushed down the cliff, entered a boat, and made for the opposite shore, which he reached, notwithstanding the hot fire that was poured after liim. The action was witnessed by the troops on both sides, and was soon reported to Gen. Washington, by whom it was highly complimented. He was present at the execution of Maj. Andre. He was sergeant in Drury's company of Knox's artillery in May, 1776. He was commissioned first lieutenant in Lamb's artillery regiment June 28, 1778, and was made captain in 1780. He died in Easton, Feb. 11, 1821.

Another man who saw considerable service was Capt. James Perry, who raised a company of soldiers as early as 1776. He departed for the seat of war with a company of sixty men. He served in the army of Gen. Washington, was at the battles of Trenton and Princeton, and returned home some time in 1779. His service was not confined to the field ; he owned a furnace at home, where he manufactured cannon and cannon-balls. At the same time firearms were being manufactured by the Leonards in the northeast part of the town, where in 1785 or 1786 Eliphalet Leonard began the making of steel. Capt. Josiah Keith raised a company of soldiers, thirty-three of whom were from Easton, and served with them for a while in Col. John Daggett's regiment. Subsequently, for three years dating from January, 1777, he served as captain in Col. Michael Jackson's Eighth Regiment. He was then made major in the same regiment, in which capacity he served during the year 1780. A comparatively large number of men from Easton served in the Revolutionary war, many enlisting in the company of Capt. Francis Luscomb, of Taunton, in Capt. Keith's, in Capt. John Allen's company of Col. Carpenter's regiment, in Capt. Macey Williams' company, and there were some scattered through various other companies. Easton had reason to be proud of her record in that great struggle for national independence.

The war of 1812 did not create much enthusiasm, and there are no facts concerning Easton's connection with it to call for any special notice in this sketch. On the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion there was in town a military company commanded by Capt. Milo M. Williams, known as Company B of the Fourth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. A call for troops was made by Governor Andrew. This company received the order, and reported with other companies of the regiment on the very next day. The day after this the regiment was sent to Fortress Monroe, where it remained for three months. Easton furnished three hundred and thirty-four men for the army and navy, and expended more than forty thousand dollars for war purposes. Besides this large subscriptions were made by citizens, and there were here, as in other towns of the State, large contributions, for camp and hospital stores. The following is the list of the patriots of Easton who died in the service of their country, and whose names are inscribed ui>on the soldiers' monument, which was dedicated on Memorial-day, 1882:

Ecclesiastical. - From 1711 to 1725 the territory now euibraced in the town of Easton was part of the town of Norton. In 1717 the inhabitants of thi.s territory, being in sufficient number, as they judged, to establish a religious society and to support a minister, petitioned the General Court to be set apart as a separate precinct. This permission was subsequently granted, and on June 6, 1718, what is now the town of Easton was set apart as the East Precinct of the town of Norton. Soon afterwards a church was built. Instead of being, as at first proposed, in the centre of the town, it was built near the easterly boundary of the town, the reason for this being that many of the parish lived over the Bridgewater line. It was the most central of any place, so far as the population was concerned, for the east part of the town was more generally settled earlier than the west part. But this question of the location of the meetinghouse is the great bone of contention which caused trouble for many years, at one time creating a bitter contention in the parish, dividing tlie church, and even threatening to permanently divide the town. The meeting-house was soon built, and after some time spent in hearing candidates the church and parish settled upon Rev. Matthew Short as the minister of the Church of Christ in the East Precinct. Rev. Matthew Short was born at Newberry, March 14, 1688. He graduated from Harvard University in 1707. In November, 1712, he was ordained a minister at Attleborough, and remained there three years. Subsequently he preached in Saco and Biddeford, Me., and was settled in the aforesaid East Precinct of Norton about 1722. Three years after this, in December, 1725, this pfecinct was incorporated as a town with the name of Easton. The rapid increase of inhabitants soon made it necessary to build a new church. Work was begun in 1728, and the new meeting-house was slowly constructed, and after considerable altercation concerning the management of the committee appointed to oversee the work it was finislied. This was in 1730. Two years before a severe epidemic passed over this section. Mr. Short was brouglrt near to death's door, and after his recovery he preached two sermons, which he calls " A Thankful Memorial of God's Sparing Mercy." These were published, and one copy of them has been in the hands of the writer. Mr. Short died in Easton, April 16, 1731, in the forty-fourth year of his age, after a peaceful ministry of about nine years.

He was succeeded in his ministry in Easton by Rev. Joseph Belcher, who was probably from Braintree, and who graduated from college in 1723. He was settled here Oct. 6, 1731. Not much is known of him or of his life in this town. He began after a while to show signs of insanity, one of his peculiarities being that of preaching several sermons in immediate succession, regardless of the fact that his congregation had gradually dispersed, leaving him addressing the bare walls. On the 16th of April, 1744, after a pastorate of nearly thirteen years, he was dismissed from the church. He lived several ye&rs afterwards.

At this time there began the most earnest contention relative to the location of the meeting-house. The west part of the town had increased in the number of inhabitants, and when it was necessary to build a new place of worship they very naturally desired that it should be located nearer them. On May 24, 1744, an exciting town-meeting is held. Two factions are developed, which are designated respectively as the " town party" and the " party of the east part." The town party proves the stronger. It is voted to build the meeting-house in the centre of the town. It is voted to make a survey in order to determine the centre, and fearing no committee of Easton men would be sufficiently unprejudiced to be trustworthy, a committee of Taunton, -Bridgewater, and Norton men is chosen. The survey is made at a cost of two pounds, nine shillings, and sixpence.

At a town-meeting in January, 1745, it is voted to build the new meeting-house " at or'within twenty rods of ye senter," and that it shall be finished in two years. But the disagreement is so strong that nothing is done about it until 1749. Meantime the church and parish had agreed in giving a call to Rev. Solomon Prentice. Mr. Prentice was born at Cambridge, May 11, 1705, and graduated from Harvard College in 1725, in a class in which were Hutchinson and Trumbull, afterwards Governors. He was settled in Grafton in 1731. Had the Church of Christ in Easton consulted the antecedents of Mr. Prentice before giving him a call, they would have learned that he was no man to pour oil on the troubled waters and to reconcile and unite the two factions that were developing here. He was a man of mark, positive in his character, and belonged to the party at that time known as " New Lights." These were the persons who sympathized with Whitefield, concerning whose merits, doctrines, and methods the New England clergy were in great disagreement. Mr. Prentice warmly espoused his cause, invited him into the Grafton pulpit, and scandalized his people not only by inviting itinerants to preach for him, but also on account of the extreme and fanatical opinions he avowed. Councils were called, the breach healed for a while, but no lasting union could be etiected, and accordingly on July 10, 1747, he was dismissed. Only two months afterwards, on September 14th, he received a call at Easton, and was installed pastor November 18th. He finds things at loose ends here, and immediately begins to set them right. The church records, if any had been kept by his predecessor, are not discoverable. He immediately begins new records. No covenant can be found. He immediately draws one up, and it is signed by one hundred and thirteen persons. The question as to who are proper subjects of baptism is then earnestly discussed and disposed of. Various personal dissensions are adjudicated. Then with these minor matters out of the way, the field is -clear for the great conflict concerning tlie location of the meetinghouse. The new house is ready for occupancy, and the town party, by summary action, pull down the old one, that no more services may be held there. A majority of the church, but a minority of the whole parish, vote that services shall be held in private houses, and not at the new meeting-house. Though Mr. Prentice, with the advice of a council that had been called to heal this difficulty, had once agreed to worship there, he changed his mind. The town party sends a petition to the General Court. A counter petition follows from the party of the east part. The General Court appoints a committee to come and view the situation. Tliis committee re])orts that the meeting-house is already in the most convenient place for the whole town. A proposition is then made to divide the town, and a .survey is made for that purpose. The proposition is defeated. Mr. Prentice then refuses to preach in the new meetinghouse and preaches in private houses.

The party of the east part then, acting under the determined lead of Mr. Prentice, separate from the town parish and form a new church after the model of Scotch Presbyterianism. They begin to build a meeting-house, raise the frame, cover it in, but never finish it. Mr. Prentice finally gets into trouble with the Presbytery, and is deposed in 1754. His church gradually died out. This controversy led to many personal altercations, some of which involved a good deal of church discipline, and it left the religious life of the people at a very low ebb. Religion suffered most in the house of its friends. Mr. Prentice left town in 1755. For several years before this the meeting-house at the centre had for much of the time been unoccupied. In 1754, while Mr. Prentice was preaching to his Presbyterians, on pleasant days in the unfinished Presbyterian meeting-house, and on stormy days at private houses, Mr. George Farrar supplied the regular pulpit. He had been a schoolmaster at Dighton, and was just beginning to preach. Mr. Farrar was born in Lincoln (then a part of Concord), Mass., on Nov. 23, 1730. He was ordained at Easton, March 26, 1755, though not without a vigorous protest on the part of the Presbyterians. He was minister of the church for nearly two years, but died at Lincoln, Sept. 17, 1756, at his father's home.

Still the bitter contention goes on. Town-meetings are disorderly. At one of them the two factions organize, each claiming to be the regular meeting. By petition and counter petition the subject is referred to the General Court ; a committee is appointed, and decision is rendered again adverse to the party of the east part and favorably for the town party, who are fortunate in having Edward Hayward, Esq., as a leader, a man who headed the opposition at all times against Mr. Prentice. Rev. Messrs. Vesey and Vinal, who preach temporarily during the aforesaid church difficulties, are without their pay for several years; the schoolmaster asks for his wages in vain, and the town-meetings give ample evidence that the town is badly demoralized. This state of things lasts for over thirteen years.

In March, 1763, after a day spent in solemn fasting and prayer, a call was given to Rev. Archibald Campbell. He was ordained August 17th. Mr. Prentice has carried away his church records (which were, however, recovered some years later), and a new book was begun. A new covenant was drawn up and signed, but it is signed by only about half the number that had signed the covenant of sixteen years before. There is nothing especially eventful in the ministry of Mr. Campbell until near its close. Trouble, of course, there must be. An opposition gradually developed, one element of which was a vile slander against his character. He was a man more sinned against than sinning, was unfortunate in his wife, and in a son who was said to have been hung while on the St. Clair expedition. Mr. Campbell left Easton December, 1782, and preached temporarily in various places. But his spirit was broken, and, unfortunately, he had neither philosophy nor religion enough to enable him to stem the tide of ill fortune that had set against him. He and his wife were said to have fallen into intemperate ways. He died a pauper in Stockbridge, Vt., July 15, 1818.

The next ministry of Easton was peaceful and profitable. The minister chosen for Mr. Campbell's successor was Rev. William Reed. He was born June 8, 1755. In 1776 he enlisted as a soldier in the Continental army. Two years afterwards he entered Harvard University, and graduated in 1782. In August, 1783, he was invited to settle as minister in Easton, and was ordained there April 21, 1784. One of the best proofs of the good character and success of his ministry is that there is so little of interest for the historian to record. He was an earnest, practical preacher, with a character not only above reproach, but strong also in moral and sympathetic power. His ministry in Easton closed only at his death, which occurred Nov. 16, 1809. His estimable wife lived to the age of eighty-three. Her death occurred March 26, 1850, and " her eight surviving children, at the average age of fifty-four, after thirtyfive years of separation, gathered around her bier at the old liomestead to mingle their tears and prayers, and to lay her precious dust beside that of their honored and lamented father."

Before speaking of his successor we must retrace our steps to 1762, when a Baptist Society was formed in what js now North Easton. At that time Rev. Ebenezer Stearns was ordained as minister of this society. It had only a struggling existence, but it made itself felt in town affiiirs, first by protests against being assessed for the support of the preaching in the town rneeting-house, and secondly by a lawsuit growing out of the refusal to pay the ministerial tax. In this lawsuit the town was worsted, and an agreement was made that all those Baptists who were in covenant relations with the Baptist Society should be exempt from the payment of the ordinary ministerial tax. As the expenses of the Baptist Church were very low, there was a temptation to enter into those relations simply to evade that tax. Eseck Carr succeeded to the ministry of this society, a service which was not sufficiently exhausting to prevent his conducting the coopering business during the week. In fact, his cooper-shop served on Sunday as a meeting-house for his little flock. This movement dragged on until two or three years before Mr. Carr's death, which occurred in 1794. At this time the Methodist movement was beginning, and as it had more elements of real life in it, and served equally well the purpose of evading the town ministerial tax, it absorbed the Baptist Society, and we hear nothing further about the latter.

In the town church and parish. Rev. Luther Sheldon was the successor of Rev. Mr. Reed. Mr. Sheldon was a native of Rupert, Vt. ; was born in 1785, graduated at Middlebury College in 1808, and was ordained at Easton, Oct. 24, 1810. He was a man of strong character and exceptional ability; was conservative in his theology, resolute and tenacious in support of any jirinciple and method that he had adopted.

In 1816 a new meeting-house was built, a little way behind where the church stood that was erected in 1750. The old building was moved away and used for a town hall. At the time of Mr. Sheldon's settlement the movement was in progress, which, some years later, resulted in the division of the old churches of Massachusetts into two parties. There was a steady growth of sentiment adverse to the rigid Calvinism that had so long held sway in New England, there being a so-called liberal and conservative party in nearly all the churches. These two elements were long in coming into any open collision. But the ministers of the two opposing parties began to understand each other, and to draw more and more aloof. The conservatives were naturally and conscientiously, of course, very reluctant to allow those who held what they esteemed unsound and dangerous doctrines to preach in their pulpits.

In the neighboring town of Norton was a minister, Rev. Pitt Clarke, who had been accustomed to exchange with Mr. Reed. He had espoused the socalled liberal idea.s, and Mr. Sheldon was unwilling for this reason to exchange with him. This displeased a portion of the Easton congregation, who much admired Mr. Clarke, and June 8, 1830, the following action was taken : " Voted, that it is the wish of the Parish that neighboring Congregational ministers in regular standing should minister with this society as formerly the practice." As this vote had no efi'ect, in November of 1881 the parish formally requested their minister " to exchange pulpit services with neighboring Congregational ministers indiscriminately, agreeably to the practice that prevailed at the time of his settlement." A committee was appointed to wait upon Mr. Sheldon, and they reported that he refused to reply to them, and he did not make the exchange as requested. This was now April, 1832. The dissension increased. The parish proposed a mutual council in order that the connection between pastor and people might be dissolved. As Mr. Sheldon took no notice of this proposal, his opponents called an ex-parte council, who voted that sufficient cause existed for the dismissal of the minister. Mr. Sheldon denied the jurisdiction of the council. His opposers, however, notified him that his services would be dispensed with, and provided another clergyman to preach on the following Sunday. Fully believing that he was not legally dismissed, a belief justified by the final result, Mr. Sheldon prepared to maintain his position. Fifteen minutes before the usual time of service he took possession of the pulpit and began the services. In the afternoon the other clergyman was first in the pulpit, and when Mr. Sheldon appeared and would have gone into the pulpit his approach thereto was blocked by a man as determined as himself. He thereupon called upon his adherents to follow him to the chapel near by. A large part of the audience, including the major part of the church members, followed him, and thus the open rupture was eflected. It must be stated that at all times a majority of tliose who were in the habit of attending church favored Mr. Sheldon, while a majority of those legally entitled to vote upon parish matters were found among his opponents. These were, however, in some cases those who had no interest in the parish. There were a few such who voted upon the other side, each party summoning all the votes it could by any means secure.

This open rupture did not cure the strife. The parish voted to discontinue the salary of Mr. Sheldon. At the beginning of 1834 he brought suit against the trustees for the payment of his salary. This suit was hotly contested, but went against the trustees. Finding themselves obliged to pay his salary, the parish demanded his services, hoping to embarrass his connection with his own flock, to whom, since the division, he had been preaching. Such a state of things was too exasperating to continue; and, in 1838, the parish accepted a proposition, made by Mr. Sheldon, as a basis of settlement. In consideration of the sum of three thousand dollars, he and his friends discharged the parish from all liabilities and claims they might have against it. On Nov. 19, 1838, forty-one members of the parish formally withdrew all connection with it and organized themselves into the " Evangelical Congregational Society of Easton." The legal aspects of this controversy were very important and interesting. The underlying question was, " Whether a refusal to exchange with another minister could be made a just ground for refusing to pay a minister's salary or for dismissing him." Mr. Sheldon acted in accordance with the advice of the association of orthodox ministers. Some of the best legal talent in the State urged him to take this position, and what seemed like obstinate silence on his part was merely obeying the instruction of his lawyer. Though his opponents appealed from the first decisions, which were adverse to them, these decisions were sustained by the full bench, a majority composing which were Unitarians and opposed to Mr. Sheldon's theological position.

The concluding history of the old parish is easily told. It became at last distinctively Unitarian. In 183i), Kev. William H. Taylor received and accepted a call. Mindful of the past, the parish make a three months' notice (after the first year) the only necessary condition for dissolving the pa.storal connection. Mr. Taylor did not remain long. In 1845 the church was remodeled and rededicated, Kev. Paul Dean having been settled the same year. He continued pastor for five years, and was succeeded in 1851 by Rev. William Whitwell, wlio preached here for seven years. Rev. George G. Withington was settled in 1858, and remained pastor of the church for twelve years, resigning in 1870. Regular services were henceforward discontinued, except that occasionally in summer preaching has been sustained for a while.

The nucleus of the Evangelical Society was the majority of the members of the original church and of the customary attendants upon public worship. This society organized in 1839, but those composing it had been worshiping in the church built by them in 1833. In 1855, Mr. Sheldon relinquished his salary and his active duties, but remained senior pastor until his death, which occurred in 181)6. The successor to his active duties was Rev. Lyman Clark, who was pastor seven years. Rev. Charles E. Lord was settled two years. Rev. Charles Mills somewhat longer, Rev. Mr. Richardson four years, and Rev. Mr. Hudson a year and a half. Rev. Luther Sheldon, son of the first pastor, preached as acting pastor about three years, since which time, 1877, the society was without a regular pastor until, in 1882, the present pastor. Rev. William H. Dowden, became the minister. In 1882 the church building of this society was destroyed by fire, and a new church was built in 1883.

The Methodist movement began in town about 1790. The first society was organized about 1796 in tlie northeast part of the town. Isaac Stokes, a nailer by trade and a kind of local preacher, was one of its founders. The celebrated Jesse Lee and the eccentric Lorenzo Dow occasionally preached here in those early days, the latter within the recollection of many now living. The first Methodist Church was built on Washington Street, where the present building now stands. It stood until 1830, when it was replaced by a new one. This society was at first on the old Warren Circuit, but shortly after 1800 a new circuit was formed including Easton, Stoughton, and four other towns. The first reguLar preacher sent here by the Conference is said to have been Nehemiah Coy. He was followed by Thomas Perry, and afterwards by Samuel Cutler. Then in 1810 Rev. John Tinkham was minister. Under his administration the church flourished. He was returned for another year, at the end of which he determined to locate here. He died in 1824 universally respected and beloved, and his remains rest in the Washington Street Cemetery. During his ministry instrumental music was introduced into the service of the sanctuary, much to the indignation of some who regarded all innovations in the old-fashioned usages as likely to disturb the peace and mar the prosperity of Zion. There were various supplies until 1829, when Lewis Bates, familiarly known as " Father" Bates, was appointed for this station. During his stay a great revival prevailed. Father Bates was not an educated man, and even boasted that he did not come out of an " old gospel-shop." About this time Universalists were occasionally allowed to preach in the new building, which had been liberally subscribed to by several persons who sympathized with Universalist sentiments. This led to serious trouble, and was finally prevented by having the church deeded to the Conference.

The revival under Mr. Bates had been followed by a corresponding period of spiritual decline, and in 1840 and 1841, other revivals under Rev. Nathan Payne and Rev. Edward Lyons occurred. About 1843 a portion of the congregation, dissatisfied with the Episcopal form of government, withdrew and formed a Protestant Methodist Church. For about ten years- previous to 1856 the Washington Street Society had hardly any connection with the Conference, and the church records state that the " church experienced rather turbulent times." During a part of 1855-56, Rev. Luther Sheldon supplied the pulpit, and then the church was closed. In 1857 it was reopened with Rev. John B. Hunt pastor. He inaugurated a powerful revival, the effects of which upon one individual at least will not soou be forgotton.

In 1861, under Rev. L. B. Bates, a division of the society occurred, the minister leading or following those who preferred to have services held in the village. The village society built a church on Main Street, and worshiped there until 1876. At that time they moved into the church formerly occupied by the North Easton Unitarian Society, which had been presented to tlie Methodists by Hon. Oliver Ames. The two Methodist societies supported separate ministers until a few years ago, when they united to support one pastor, who should minister to both societies. This arrangement still continues.

In North Easton village the growing shovel business called together an increasing number of workmen, many of whom were foreigners and Catholics.

In 1850 the first Catholic Church, now called " The Chapel," was built upon land preseuted to the church b_v Oliver Ames & Sons. The present commodious church was erected in 1865. It was thoroughly remodeled in 1873. The names of the pastors in their order are Fathers Fitzsimmons, Roach, McNulty, Quinu, Fitzgerald, Carroll, and the present pastor, Father McComb. This church is large and flourishing.

In 1843 the Protestant Methodist Society was organized. Services were held for a while in Torrey's Hall. In the year 1845 a church was built. Preaching was maintained for about five years, when the interest in this movement became small. An attempt was made for a while to sustain Episcopal Methodist services. About 1855 an interest was manifested in Unitarian preaL-hing, and proved a permanent interest. The North Easton Unitarian Society was organized in 1857. After a long season of transient preaching, in 1860 Rev. C. C. Hussey was invited to become pastor. He accepted and filled that oflice for six years. In the autumn of 1867, Rev. William L. Chaflin received a call from this society, which he accepted. He began preaching as its pastor on the first Sunday of 1868. In August, 1875, the society moved into the beautiful church built by the late Hon. Oliver Ames, and presented by him to the society. At that time it reorganized, and assumed the name of Unity Church.

So brief a sketch as the above, giving, as it necessarily does, only a bare outline of the history of Easton, omits much that deserves to be chronicled. Many things of a more personal nature, which would have made this a more readable narrative, have been reluctantly omitted, and have had to be sacrificed to a general statement of facts. If only a few of the more widely-known citizens have been selected for special biographical notice, it is not because there have not been others ; indeed, there have been many others who well deserved more special mention than they have received. As the writer, though warmly attached to this home of his adoption, has been a resident here for only about sixteen years, very few of the individuals alluded to were personally known to him. But the impression they have made upon the town and upon the memories of citizens now living justify such a reference to them. Among them well known in other days as men of mark and character were Daniel Wheaton, Elijah Howard, Martin Wilde, Howard Lothrop, Dr. Caleb Swan, Gen. Shepard Leach, and Rev. Luther Sheldon. Other names will readily occur to those who have been at all familiar with the history of the town. Easton may well be proud of her industries ; she has more reason to be proud of the men and women she has given to the world.

Biographical Sketches

Hon. Oliver Ames, the founder of the great manufacturing firm of O. Ames & Sons, was born at Plymouth, Mass., April 11, 1779, being the youngest son of Capt. John and Susannah Ames, and was a lineal descendant of William Ames, who came to this country in 1638 and settled in Braintree, Mass. His early education was gained by ordinary common-school instruction, and by the practical experience of hard work in his father's blacksmith-shop. These furnished him the groundwork of a .sober judgment, industrious habits, and a stable and energetic character. At the age of eighteen he went to Springfield, where he learned the trade of gunsmith. In April, 1803, he married Susannah Angler, and by this marriage two distinct branches of the English family of Ames which had sent representatives to this country were united ; for Susannah Angler was a descendant of Dr. William Ames, a famous author and professor. Very soon after his marriage Mr. Ames removed from Bridgewater to Easton, and commenced the manufacture of shovels. After a stay of over two years at Easton, he removed to Plymouth to manufiicture shovels for Messrs. Russell, Davis & Co., and he continued there until about 1813, when he returned to Easton. He had determined upon this return previous to this time, had purchased land and a good water-privilege, and had begun the erection of a dwelling-house. He was one of a company to build a cotton-factory for the manufacture of cotton fabrics. He had manufactured hoes and shovels during his first stay in Easton, but on his second arrival he began again the business that has now become world-famed. Difficulties and embarrassments that would have defeated any one but a man of great ability and persistent energy beset him in these early days. The cotton-factory burned ; the war of 1812 had had a disastrous effect upon business ; he was endeavoring to restore the business of his father to a prosperous condition; and he had made great outlays in getting established at Easton. But his credit was good and his courage strong ; his character and ability alike inspired unlimited confidence ; and he worked steadily on to a sure and lasting success.

With only a humble beginning, shovels being made by hand and carried to market upon a one-horse wagon, the business steadily increased, shop being added to shop, workmen increasing by scores, until it has become by far the largest and most prosperous shovel business in the world. He would never allow any work to be sent to the market that was imperfect, and he thus laid the foundation for the great reputation which the Ames shovel has borne, and which it continues to bear.

upon the Committee on Manufactures. In 1845 he was elected, contrary to his desires, and bj' a large vote, to the Massachusetts Senate. He was, however, no lover of office, and desired only that he might have the charge of the highways of his town intrusted to him, a charge he took pride in, and faithfully fulfilled. He was a man of strong and resolute will, of great force of character, indomitable energy, and persevering industry. He was the possessor of aspleudid physique, and easily bore oft" the palm in all feats of strength and skill, especially in wrestling, of which he was very fond. His manly and dignified bearing gave every one who saw him the impression that they looked upon a man of mark. He was such a man as a stranger, meeting upon the street, would turn to look at a second time. Born of the people, he was always very simple in his tastes and democratic in his feelings and principles. In his likes and dislikeS he was equally decided, but his judgments were based upon what he believed to be the real worth of any one, without reference to his station or condition. He was consequently greatly respected and beloved by his neighbors and fellow-townsmen. He was enthusiastically fond of fanning, and, like Daniel Webster, was especially fond of fine oxen, always obtaining the best, and taking great pleasure in their management. He took an early stand, both as a matter of principle and practice, in favor of temperance, and brought up his family according to total abstinence principles. He was a decided Unitarian in his religious convictions, having a cordial dislike to the rigid tenets of the Calvinism of his day. He was liberal in his aid of religious institutions, to which he also gave the sanction of his personal attendance. His charities were large, and they were not bounded by the limits of his sect or neighborhood. His defects were such as pertained merely to his limited culture and to the stern conflict and discipline of his early life. Mr. Ames lived to the ripe old age of eighty-four years, dying at North Easton, Sept, 11, 1863.

Hon. Oakes Ames ife the most widely known of any of the citizens of Easton, and the one who has had the greatest influence upon the. fortunes and affairs of the country. To him more than to any other man belongs the great credit of accomplishing one of the grandest enterprises of this generation, the building of the Union Pacific Jlailroad. For that work, which has been of incalculable benefit to the country in many ways, he deserves the gratitude of all its citizens, and his name will always be associated with that splendid achievement.

Oakes Ames was the oldest son of Oliver and Susannah Ames, and was born in Easton, Mass., Jan. 10, 1804. He passed his youth there, a,cquiring a common-school education, and assisting his father in the workshop and on the farm. He gained a thorough knowledge of the shovel business, in which his father was engaged, and he devoted to it for years a laborious industry and great energy, early becoming its overseer. In 1844 his father, having reached the age of sixty-five, withdrew from all active participation in the business, turning it over to his sons, Oakes and Oliver, and from this date the firm bore tlie name of Oliver Ames & Sons. The discovery of gold in California and Australia, and the vast increase of railroad building, gave a new impetus to the shovel business, and it rapidly grew to extensive proportions, and became very profitable. It was managed with great enterprise, and weathered the financial storm of 1857 without serious disturbance, and went on to increasing success.

In 1860 Oakes Ames was elected councilor from the Bristol district, and served with great efficiency as one of the cabinet officers of Governor Andrew, by whom he was highly esteemed. He was soon solicited to become candidate for Congress from the Second District. On the informal ballot at the nominating convention he received two-thirds of all the votes cast. He was elected by a large popular vote. This was for the Thirty-eighth Congress, and he was reelected for the four succeeding Congresses, serving ten years altogether. During these ten years he was a member of the several Committees on Manufactures, on the Pacific Railroad, on Revolutionary Claims, and on Roads and Canals, and his business experience and sound practical judgment rendered his services valuable upon these several committees. He was a warm friend of President Lincoln, and enjoyed his personal confidence.