Easton Town (part 3 of 3)

It was as a member of the Committee on Railroads that he first became interested in the government project of building a road to the Pacific. In July, 1862, Congress passed an act authorizing and making some provision for the construction of a railroad and telegraph line from the Missouri to the Pacific. Scarcely anything, however, was done about it. In July, 1864, the need of such a line of communication between the East and the West was imperatively felt and Congress passed a second act more liberal than the first, doubling the land-grant, authorizing the issue of mortgage bonds to the same amount as the government bonds, and making the latter a second mortgage, and offering to withhold only one-half the money the road might earn for government transportation. One attempt to construct the road under this new arrangement signally failed. Oakes Ames was then looked to as the man competent to undertake and complete this gigantic work. Many prominent men, among them President Lincoln, urged him to undertake it for the pubfic good. After nearly a year of such solicitation, and after careful deliberation, he decided to do it, and thus to connect his name imperishably with the greatest public work of the century in this country. 1 It is impossible in the necessary limits of this brief sketch to trace even in outline tlie progress and successful completion of that great work, or to do more than allude to the famous Credit Mnbilier affair which engaged such general attention and created such absurd excitement. Once undertaken, Cakes Ames gave to the work all his accustomed energy. He invested a million dollars and hazarded his entire fortune in the enterprise. He invited his friends to join him and invest their capital, men in and out of Congress being invited to engage in it on the same terms.

The obstacles to be overcome, both physical and financial, were immense. But they were overcome, and on May 10, 1869, the rails of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific were joined at Promontory Point, and the Pacific Road was complete ; the East and West were united, and this was seven years earlier than the terms of the contract required. As to the Credit Mobilier affair, those have been freest to condemn it who knew least about it. It is safe to assert that not one in a hundred of those who used that term as a symbol of business iniquity really knew what it meant. It was for this very reason a convenient and powerful weapon to wield in a time of great political excitement. It suggested unknown horrors and depths of iniquity. In fact, however, it was a construction company. Roads had been built by the same method before ; they are commonly built in the same way in the West to-day.

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 dift'erent parts of the country. There was far less reason why ownership in the stock referred to shoukl 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 iu 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 liis services appreciated, Oakes Ames has risen in i)opular 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 truthfulness 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 ca|)acity 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 Angler, April 1.5, 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 severe 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 oflice 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 partnership with his father and brotlier, 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 1806, 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 cidtivated 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 ibr 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 w.as 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 hive 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 co.stly 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 Angler Ames, born Nov. 11, 1836, and died Dec. 13, 1882.

E. J. W. Morse

E. J. W. MORSE. Edward J. W. Slorse 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 1637 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 high 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), 1640^2; 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 jjrobably 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, w-as 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, wliile very afiable 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 C, 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

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 tbwn 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, Jolin 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 A History of Bristol County, Massachusetts (Vol. 2), by Hutt, Frank Wolcott, published 1924; 7,986 words in this source stream.

Easton Town

The town of Easton, situated in the northeast corner of Bristol county, is bounded on the north by Stoughton and Sharon, on the east by Brockton and West Bridgewater, on the south by Taunton, Raynham and Norton, 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 IWaston. Its area is twenty-nine square miles, or 18,584 acres, of which 370 acres are water. There are several ponds artificially made in former years for manufacturing purposes. The largest streams are Leach's stream, once called Mulberry Meadow brook, in the west part, and Queset river in the north and east parts, and on which are located the Ames Shovel works, the Easton Machine Company, Ross Heel Company and Grist Mill at South Easton. Black brook flowing from the center of the town also is a stream of considerable size and drains an area of large extent.

Easton is on the Old Colony division of the New York, New Haven & Hartford railroad, Easton Center being 24%4 miles from Boston, 12 from Taunton and about 20 miles from the nearest seashore. It has two stations on the main line, one at North Easton and one at Easton Center. A branch road leaves the main line at Easton Center and runs to Brockton through West Bridgewater, with stations at South Easton and Eastondale. The Kastern Massachusetts street railway operates a trolley line from North Easton to Brockton, and the same company operates the Taunton-Brockton line which passes through South Easton and Eastondale. There are four postoffices in the town, one at North Easton, one at South Easton, one at Eastondale, and one at the Furnace Village (Easton postoffice).

The village of North Easton presents many points of special interest and attraction. There are several costly and beautiful estates, among which may be mentioned those of Oliver Ames, Mary Ames. Frothingham, John S. Ames, Mrs. F. Lothrop Ames and Mrs. William H. Ames. The estate of Oakes Ames in the northwest section of the town comprising about 1,500 acres of forest and intervale is another very attractive homestead. The public buildings are nearly all gifts to the town from members of the Ames family. Unity Church is a beautiful stone edifice, Gothic in style, cruciform in shape, with a solid stone spire surmounted by a stone cross. The Public Library building is an attractive edifice, built of native stone, a pinkish granite called sienite, with brown sand stone trimmings. Over ten thousand books were provided, and the library opened to the public March 10, 1883. The librarians have been Charles R. Ballard, 1883, and Mary Lamprey. The library was founded by a bequest of Hon. Oliver Ames. Near the library building is the massive and handsome public haJl built as a memorial to Oakes Ames by his children. It stands on 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, a 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 the hall is a triangular piece of ground upon which the Ames Corporation built from design of Frederick Law Olmstead an extensive cairn or rock work 250 feet long and 25 feet high at the eastern end, with an archway and steps passing underneath.

In 1812 the school house was moved from its former location to a position nearer Barrows street, and on the old site a new modern high school building was erected. On the 12th of December, 1896, the Oliver Ames High School building was dedicated - a splendid monument to the generosity and public spirit of the giver - ex-Governor Ames. In 1914 a new brick grammar school was erected on the Cogswell lot on the south side of Main street. This building is modern in structure and equipment, and adds another to the long list of public buildings which Easton is fortunate to possess. This school house was given to the town by F. Lothrop Ames, Mary Ames Frothingham and John S. Ames, in memory of their father and mother, Frederick L. Ames and Rebecca C. Ames.

Another of the attractive buildings of this village is the depot, a gift to the Old Colony railroad by Frederick L. Ames. On the site of the old Unitarian Church at Easton Center is the Town Hall, built by the town, and in the square nearly in front of the hall stands the Soldiers' Monument, erected in 1882, upon which are inscribed the names of forty-seven townsmen who were killed in the Civil War. 'There are now three banks in North Easton - the first National Bank of Easton, George C. Barrows, cashier; the North Easton Savings Bank, John M. Williams, treasurer; and the North Easton Codperative Bank, of which Lorenzo B. Crocket is president and William H. Clements, treasurer.

The town has its proportion of social and other organizations, such as Paul Dean Lodge of Masons; the Order of the Eastern Star; A. B. Randall Post, No. 52, G. A. R., Nathaniel W. Slocomb, commander; the Odd Fellows; the Knights of Columbus. The ladies also have their social organizations - the Clover Club, located at North Easton; the Outlook Club, at Easton; the Furnace and the Browning Club at South Easton.

The town is divided into three precincts. Precinct 1 includes the west part of the town-as far north as Summer and Rockland streets and east to the railroad. Precinct 2 takes the North Easton Village District and Unionville, and Precinct 3 the east section of town, embracing South Easton and Eastondale. There are also three districts within the town - the North Easton Village district with water works, street lighting system, police protection and other municipal advantages; the Unionville Fire and Water district, which recently installed pipes for water which they obtain from North Easton. The South Easton and Eastondale Fire and Water District was incorporated in 1915 and has a complete water system, obtaining its supply from Silver Lake through the courtesy of the city of Brockton.

The town of Easton was incorporated December 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 a 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 considerable more, Easton being the older and Mansfield the younger child of this town. The North Purchase was bought from Plymouth Colony by 53 of the citizens of Taunton. The first town meeting of Easton was held March 2,

Industrial - The first settlement of this town was made at what is now South Easton Village in 1694. Thomas Randall, Sr., and his son, Thomas, Jr., located here and built on the site of the Dean property a saw mil] before 1703 and probably before 1700. A grist mill was built at the same place by Clement Briggs prior to 1713. Clement Briggs, the first settler, was dead as early as June, 1720, and his son Clement sold 'the grist mill to Timothy Cooper in February, 1723. The third business enterprise to be positively known is the Leonard forge at the foot of Stones pond; in operation in October, 1723, but it is probable that the Josiah Keith saw mill was built a little earlier than this forge. Mr. Keith settled in Kaston on the Bay road, near the Edward Williams place, as early as 1718. It is probable that the mill was built about that time. In December, 1716, Captain James Leonard purchased of Nathaniel Manly 35 acres, and in June, 1720, he made a further purchase of 8% acres, both located in North Easton at the place where the Queset river crosses Main street. The exact date of the erection of this forge is not known. It was, however, in full operation before October, 1723, and probably as early as 1720. The ownership passed to Captain Eliphalet Leonard, son of Captain James, and he carried on the works until 1782, when he conveyed it to his son Jacob. In September, 1802, he sold the forge, coal house and grist mill, etc., to Timothy Mitchell and Giles Leach. In 1805 Leach sold out to his partner. Eliphalet Leonard, Jr., had erected a forge before 1771 at the Marshall place on Elm street. There is good authority for the statement that he was the first person to attempt the making of steel in this country. Eliphalet Leonard also manufactured firearms here about the time of the Revolution. There was a forge erected in 1724 at the site of the old Dean saw mill at Cranberry Meadow. It did not pay, and finally passed into the hands of Edward Hayward. The forge was pulled down, and James Dean, a sonin-law of Mr. Hayward, built a hammer shop and carried on blacksmithing until 1750, when Mr. Dean formed a partnership with Matthew Hayward and erected a saw mill which they carried on until 1769, when Jonathan Pratt bought the interest of Hayward and they built a new mill which lasted thirty years, when in 1800 it gave place to another. Late in the last century the property passed into the hands of the late Frederick L,. Ames, and the saw mill was torn down. In 1751 John Williams and others began the erection of a furnace at Furnace Village, and it was completed and ready for active business late in 1752. At the time of the Revolution, this furnace was owned by Captain James Perry, who manufactured among other things cannon and cannon balls. It afterwards passed into the - hands of General 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 the town and were used here. This business, carried on later by Lincoln Drake and his sons, Lincoln S. and Abbot L,. Drake, was given up and the buildings torn down a few years ago. In 1837 Captain Lincoln Drake established the malleable iron industry at the Furnace Village. In 1849 Daniel Belcher bought it and under the name of the Belcher Malleable Iron Company it. was carried on by his son and grandsons until recently when it was sold.

At the Morse privilege on Central street, 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, Massachusetts, began the cotton thread business under the name of E. J. W. Morse & Company. This business became successful and continued until their factory was destroyed by fire and the business was moved to Boston. The factory was later rebuilt and another new modern building erected, and here the Easton Machine Company operate a modern machine shop. At the Dean privilege next below, some kind of active enterprise has been going on since 1703. From about 1713 to the present time 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 a forge and manufactured bar iron, nail rods, etc. But a disastrous fire,. which burned an amount of charcoal worth more than the whole capital invested, brought this enterprise to a close. The same company then began the manufacture of cut nails, a new invention. This continued until about 1823. In 1825 or 1826 Elijah Howard and Captain Bazillai Dean began to make cotton cloth. In 1836 or 1837 Captain Dean bought the entire interest and manufactured cotton print goods of light texture. Captain Dean died by accident in 1848, and the factory was enlarged and made a machine shop. The Ross Heel Company now occupy the factory, which has been greatly enlarged, and in which they manufacture modern heels for slippers.

The privilege below known as the Shoddy Mill privilege was once the site of a saw mill, but soon after 1800 a carding mill was started there. It then was used for a fulling-mill. Subsequently in one building satinet was manufactured and in another, cotton yarn. Asa R. Howard made hoes there at one time. '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 on the stream below the Iron Works, in 1854 Keith Rotch & Company were running a thread factory. Pratt, Belcher & Company later carried on the same kind of industry; later a saw mill was operated here by James Belcher, but at the present time the privilege is not in use. In 1844 the first belt saw mill erected in this vicinity was built by Lewis Williams and his son, Edward D. Williams. On Foundry street, in the south part of the town, J. & H. M. Poole in 1828 began the manufacture of mathematical instruments. In 1878, John M. Poole, who had for twenty-five years been foreman, succeeded to the business. He manufactured surveyors' transits, builders' levels, leveling rods and many other instruments of this kind. The business was closed out at the death of Mr. Poole. Charles B. Poole, a brother of John M. Poole, manufactured thermometers for many years at Alger's Corner. At Eastondale, Guilford White in 1850 began the manufacture of shoes, and continued it for six years. For several years afterwards the same business was carried on by Horatio Thayer and Nathaniel R. Packard. Lewis Thayer manufactured shoes here between 1856 and 1870. Irving and Emery Packard also manufactured shoes here.

The great gale of September 8, 1869, leveled to the ground much of the forest in Easton. On the E. R. Hayward farm, many acres of fine pine were blown down. Mr. Hayward immediately started the erection of a steam saw mill at this locality, the only steam saw mill in town, and the largest one in this vicinity. This mill was in operation before the close of the year 1869, and in twelve months thereafter it had sawed out more than one million three hundred feet of lumber. This mill was destroyed by fire and a new one erected, which was also burned in the spring of 1887.

At South Easton, south of the Green, Samuel Simpson for years carried on the wheelwright business, later conducted by his son, Samuel D. Simpson, and then by his grandson, Charles D. Simpson. Mr. Simpson retired in 1912 and the business is now carried on by George A. Hirtle. At the beginning of the nineteenth 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. Captain John Ames manufactured knives there, and at what is called the "Hoe Shop" Nathan Pratt manufactured hoes. Close 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 S. Andrews and Elijah Howard began the manufacture of cotton yarn. After awhile 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 in the manufacture of shovels. Steel and firearms were being made at the Marshall place on Elm street. In 1800 Jonathan Leonard and his father were here. At this place was also a mill for breaking flax. Thomas R. Marshall ran a saw mill here for years. At the lower end of the 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.

In 1852 the factory at the lower end of Shovel Shop pond proved too small to accommodate the increasing business, and a substantial two-story stone building was erected, 530 feet long. 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 round point spades, grain and coal scoops, post hole diggers and other varieties. These are sent not cnly throughout the United States but to South America, to parts of Asia and Africa, and to Australia. 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, 4,519 per day, 451 per hour. From 1,200 to 1,800 tons of

One of the largest business enterprises in town at the present time is the Simpson Spring Company, located at the famous Simpson Spring, near South Easton Green. The business was established in 1878 by Fred A. Howard. The first few years the water was sold locally to people who were acquainted with its purity and medicinal qualities. Three or four years later they began the manufacture of carbonated beverages. The industry has had a steady growth, the yearly sales for 1922 being about $700,000. The present organization is as follows: Fred Field, president; Edwin H. White, vice-president; Fred L. Howard, treasurer and general manager. Besides a very large trade all over New England, their products are sent as far South as South Carolina, and as far west as Chicago. In addition to their beverages the company refine and pack lime juice, honey, maple syrup and other products. They have recently added a large area to their holdings in order to properly protect the water supply so that the spring now is within a protected area of fifty acres.

A few of the leading business men of the town organized a company and built a large shoe factory on Mechanic street. Various shoe firms have cccupied the building since, and have for most of the time carried on the shoe business with success. Reynolds, Drake & Gabell, who formerly manufactured shoes at Marshall's Corner and whose factory was destroyed by fire, now own the building.

Churches. - From 1711 to 1725 the territory now embraced in the town of Easton was part of the town of Norton. In 1717 the inhabitants of this 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, and on June 5, 1718, what is now the town of Easton was set apart as the East Precinct of the town of Norton. The meeting house was soon built and Rev. Matthew Short was called as the minister of the Church of Christ in the East Precinct. He was born at Newbury March 14, 1688, graduated from Harvard University in 1707, and in November, 1712, was ordained a minister at Attleboro and remained there three years. Subsequently he preached in Saco and Biddeford, Maine and was settled in the East Precinct of Norton about 1723. In December, 1725, this precinct was incorporated as a town with the name of Easton. Work on a new church was begun in 1728, and the structure was finally built near the site of the first church, which was on the east side of Church street, within the cemetery enclosure.

In 1728 a severe epidemic passed over this section. Mr. Short was brought near to death's door, and after his recovery he preached two sermons, which he called "A Thankful Memorial of God's Sparing Mercy". These were published, and a few copies are still in existence. Mr. Short died in Easton, April 16, 1731, in the forty-fourth year of his age. He was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Belcher, who was born in Braintree, August 19, 1704, and graduated from Harvard University in 1723. He was settled here October 6, 1731. Not much is known of him or his life in this town.

naturally desired that it should be located nearer them. But disagreement was so strong that nothing was done about it until 1749. Meantime the church and parish gave 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 and, on September 14th, he received a call to Easton, and was installed pastor November 18th. The party of the east part of the town, acting under the determined lead of Mr. Prentice, separated from the town parish and formed a new church after the model of Scotch Presbyterianism. They began to build a meeting house, raise the frame, cover it in, but never finished it. Mr. Prentice finally got into trouble with the Presbytery, and was deposed in 1754. His church gradually died out. Mr. Prentice left town in 1755. For several years before, this meeting house at the center had for much of the time been unoccupied. In 1754, while Mr. Prentice was preaching to the Presbyterians on pleasant days in the unfinished Presbyterian meeting house and on stormy days at private houses, 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., November 23, 1730. He was ordained at Easton, March 26, 1755, though not without a vigorous protest on the part of the Presbyterians. He was a minister of the church for nearly two years, but died at Lincoln, September 17, 1756, at his father's home. A bitter contention went on. Town meetings were disorderly. At one of them the two factions organized, each claiming to be the regular meeting. By petition and counter petition the subject was referred to the General Court; a committee was appointed, and decision was rendered adverse to the party of the east part and favorably for the town party, who were fortunate in having Edward Hayward Esq. as a leader, a man who headed the opposition at all times against Mr. Prentice. Revs. Vesey and Vinal, who perached temporarily during the church difficulties, were without their pay for several years; the school master asked for his wages in vain, and the town meetings gave ample evidence that the town was badly demoralized, a state of things that lasted over thirteen years. In March, 1763, after a day spent in solemn fasting and prayer, a call was given to Rev. Archibald Campbell who was ordained August 17th. Mr. Prentice had 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 was signed only about one-half the number that had signed the covenant of sixteen years before. Mr. Campbell left Easton in December, 1782, and was called to the church in Charlton in January, 1783, where he remained about ten years, which was his last charge, but he preached temporarily in various places. He died in Stockbridge, Vt., July 15, 1818.

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. His ministry in Easton closed only at his death, which occurred November 6, 1809. His estimable wife lived to the age of eighty-three; her death occurred March 26, 1850. Mr.

Reed's successor was Rev. Luther Sheldon. He was born in Rupert, Vermont, February 18, 1785, graduated from Middlebury College in 1808, and was ordained at Easton, October 24, 1810. 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. In the neighboring town of Norton was a minister, Rev. Pitt Clark, who had been accustomed to exchange with Mr. Reed. He had espoused the so-called liberal ideas, and Mr. Sheldon was unwilling for this reason to exchange with him. This displeased a portion of the Easton congregation, who much admired Mr. Clark, 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 was formerly the practice." As this vote had no effect, in November of 1831 the parish formally requested their minister "to exchange pulpit services with neighboring congregational ministers indiscriminately, agreeable 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. This marked the beginning of dissension and rupture and on November 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 - old parish became at last distinctly Unitarian. In 1839, Rev. William H. Taylor received and accepted a call, but did not remain long. In 1845 the church was remodeled and rededicated, Rev. Paul Dean having been settled the same year. He continued as pastor for five years, and was succeeded in 1851 by Rev. William Whitwell, who preached here for seven years. Rev. George G. Withington was settled in 1858, and remained pastor for twelve years, resigning in 1870. Mr. Withington was the son of George R. Withington Esq., a lawyer in Bolton, and afterwards in Lancaster, Mass., and was born in Bolton, July 26, 1831. He graduated from the Meadville (Penn.) Theological School in 1854, and for the succeeding year was engaged in the West as a missionary. He was ordained at Hillsboro, Illinois, in 1855, remaining there two years, afterwards settling in Easton. Rev. William Withington was the last settled pastor of the First Parish of Easton. Services were occasionally held during the summer months, Rev. Edward C. Towne, who was living in North Easton, supplying for a while, and later Rey. William Beal of Brockton. On January 27, 1886, the meeting house of the old First Parish of Easton was destroyed by fire. The town subsequently bought the parish lot and erected a town hall upon it. Services were occasionally held at G. A. R. Hall, Eastondale, and in 1904 a new church building was erected at Eastondale and dedicated December 8, 1904. The following ministers have supplied for them since: Manly B. Townsend, December, 1904-September, 1908; William J. Prescott, September, 1908- January, 1910; Dudley H. Ferrell, January, 1910-April, 1918; Herbert L. Buzzell, June, 1918-September, 1919; Rev. Fred L. Lewis, September, 1919, to date.

bers of the original church. 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 1866. His successor, Rev. Lyman White, was installed October 24, 1855, and dismissed February 19, 1862. Rev. Charles E. Lord was installed June 3, 1863, and resigned June 30, 1865. Rev. Charles L. Mills was acting pastor from December 8, 1865, to February 24, 1868. Rev. D. W. Richardson was acting pastor from October, 1869, to November, 1872, after which Rev. W. B. Augier supplied about five months. Rev. A. S. Hudson was acting pastor from September 1, 1873, to June 14, 1874. Rev. Luther Sheldon, son of the former pastor, acted as pastor from August, 1875, to October 1, 1878; Rev. J. D. Hosmer supplied from October, 1878, to July, 1879, and Rev. L. H. Augier supplied from July 1, 1880, to April 1, 1881. In June, 1881, the church and society gave Rev. W. H. Dowden a call, which he accepted, but was not installed; he supplied the pulpit until November 29, 1884. On the evening of September 6, 1882, the meeting house was destroyed by fire. The society at once commenced rebuilding, but their present house was not completed until late in the fall of 1884. Rev. Franklin P. Chapin commenced his pastorate July 5, 1885, and resigned June, 1890. He was in October followed by Rev. Geo. O. Jenner, who resigned May 1, 1892. Rev. A. H. Fuller was called December 13, 1892, and resigned in 1903. Rev. Philmer A. Sample accepted a call in December, 1903, and resigned 1904. Rev. Wm. Fryling, called February. 1905, resigned in 1911. Rev. T. H. Patterson was called February, 1912, and resigned 1915. Rev. Inor K. Partington was called August, 1915, and resigned September, 1918. Rev. David C. Reid was called January, 1919, and resigned 1922. Rev. Chas. H. Baldwin began his pastorate in January, 1923.

The Methodist movement began in town about 1790. The first society was organized about 1796 in the northeast part of the town. Isaac Stokes, a nailer by trade and a local preacher, was one of its founders, and Jesse Lee and Lorenzo Dow occasionally preached here in those early days. The First Methodist Church was built on Washington street, near the corner of Elm street. In 1830 it was replaced by a new one. This society was first on the 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; he died in 1824. There were various supplies until 1829, when Lewis Bates, familiarly known as "Father Bates", was appointed for this station. 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 and 1856 Rev. Luther Sheldon supplied the pulpit, and then the church was closed. In 1857 it was reopened with Rev. John B. Hunt pastor. 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, when they moved into the church formerly occupied by the North Easton Unitarian Society, which had been presented to the Methodists by Hon. Oliver Ames. The two Methodist societies supported separate ministers for a few years, but finally united with one pastor. The Washington Street church was finally torn down and the lot upon which it stood sold, and all united in 1880 in the village church, which is now a strong and flourishing organization. The ministers of the society since Mr. Bates have been as follows, viz: Revs. William V. Momson, Charles Hammond, C. C. Adams, F. A. Loomis, each serving a year; Edward Edson, 1865-67; J. B. Husted, 1867-69; Geo. H. Bates, 1869-72, followed by J. H. Humphrey; Charles W. Dreese, Joseph Hammond, John Faville, John Jones and W. J. Hodges, each serving a year; J. S. Davis, from October, 1878, to April, 1879; S. E. Evans, 1879-80; William Kirkby, 1880-82; J. S. Thomas, 1882-84; Merrill Ransom, 1884-86; Lewis Bates Coddington, 1887-88; Frederick C. Baker, 1889-90; Chas. N. Hinkley, 1891-93; Robert S. Moore, 1894-96; Henry D. Robinson, 1897-1900; P. M. Vinton, 1900-06; W. Senior Hood, 1906-11; Herbert A. Cassidy, 1911-15; E. W. Goodier, 1915-22; E. H. Witman, 1922.

In 1850 the first Catholic chapel was built upon land presented to the church by Oliver Ames and Sons. This was located on the north 'side of Pond street, on the shore of Shovel Shop pond. It was completed in 1857 - under the direction of Father Fitzsimmons, who remained as pastor for about five years. He was followed by Rev, A. F. Roach, and in 1856 by Rev. T. B. McNulty, who was in charge for fourteen years. They were years of rapid increase in the Roman Catholic population. In 1864 Father McNulty bought the lot on Main street and began the erection of the church, which was completed in 1865. In January, 1871, Rev. Francis A. Quinn came as the first parish priest of Easton. He was followed by Rev. Michael Fitzgerald 1873, Rev. Thomas F. Carroll, June, 1873 to 1882; Rev. William J. McComb, 1882. After the death of Father McComb, in North Easton, in December, 1895, Rev. Thomas L. Kelley assumed charge of the parish. After four years he was called to the Church of the Assumption in Providence, R. I.. Rev. James H. Looby succeeded Father Kelley in January, 1899. It was due to Father Looby's zeal and untiring efforts that the present church was built. This church seats 700. Father Looby remained here thirteen years, and during his ministry the mortgage on the church was cancelled and the debt wiped out. Rev. Daniel E. Doran was made pastor in October, 1912, and a great many improvements have been made in the church property. The parochial residence has been remodelled, the interior of the church refrescoed, and a large marble altar installed. During the pastorate of Father McNulty the land was bought for the Roman Catholic cemetery, and in 1921 land for a new cemetery was purchased which will double the area of the old one.

in 1865. In 1870 there were twelve in town, and in 1880 they numbered one hundred. December 29, 1883, a meeting was held for the organization of a church. The meetings were first held in the old postoffiice. January 16, 1884, they bought the Main street meetinghouse once occupied by the Methodist Society, paying $1450 for it. The church called Rev. Axel Mellander as pastor, and he came here to reside September, 1884. He resigned in April, 1886, and was succeeded by Rev. Emil Hohnblad, who remained till 1888. In 1889 Rev. Andrew Johnson came as pastor, and in 1891 resigned and Rev. Emil Hohnblad came back again and remained till 1898. Rev. L. T. Lindholm came in 1898, and resigned in 1902. In May, 1903, Rev. E. G. Ander came as minister and resigned in 1907 and was succeeded by Rev. E. A. Swanson, who remained for about three years, when he was succeeded by Rev. William N. Johnson, who after a pastorate of three years, was succeeded by Rev. Emil Johnson, who remained for four years. He was succeeded by Rev. Paul J. F. Freedlind, who remained four years, when he was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. J. M. Henrikson.

In 1843 the Protestant Methodist Society was organized, and 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 preaching, and in 1857 the North Easton Unitarian Society was organized. After a long season of transient preaching, in 1860 Rev. C. C. Hussey became pastor and remained for six years. In the autumn of 1867 Rev. Wm. L. Chaffin received a call from this society and accepted and preached 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. Mr. Chaffin was the son of William Farrell and Louisa (Shattuck) Chaffin, and was born at Oxford, Maine, August 16, 1837, but early removed to Concord, N. H. He graduated at the Meadville, Pennsylvania, Theological School in 1861. He married, August 12, 1862, Rebecca Huidekoper, daughter of Michael Hodge and Margaret (Hazlett) Bagley, of Meadville. He was pastor for about three and one-half years of a Unitarian society in Philadelphia, and came to North Easton on January 1, 1868, and continued as pastor and pastor emeritus until his death, January 7, 1923. He received his degree of D. D. from Meadville Theological School in 1915. Mr. Chaffin was greatly beloved by all the people of the town. He was much interested in historical and genealogical matters, and his "History of Easton" is a monument to his thorough and painstaking work in this line. He also published a "History of the Randall Family in America," and left in manuscript a large amount of genealogical and family history. He was greatly interested in the schools, and was a member of the school committee for twenty-eight years. In 1914 Rev. Fred R. Lewis received a call to Unity Church, and remains as the present pastor, preaching at Eastondale also. -

The Baptist Church was organized February 13, 1891, and the church building was dedicated June 20, 1895. The first pastor was Rev. Frederick Thayer, of Avon; then followed Revs. William H. Stewart, O. E. Cox, Birney E. Hudson, Norman E. Bishop, John A. Harding, Fred W. Blakeslee, George S. Bennett, Frank W. Wheeler, A. Davis Graffam, L. B. Hatch,

Leroy F! Griffin, C. J. Armstrong, Lewis H: Stone, Samuel Knowles, O. D: Thomas, Itdward C. Dunbar, E. W. Kingman, Vivian Broderick. The mortgage on the church was paid in 1919, and the church is free from debt. There is also a Swedish Lutheran church in North Easton, the building located on Wiiliams street, of which Rev. A. J. Hilmer is the pastor.

Military - 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. Easton, in common with other New England towns of the old colonial days, had its military company very early. Its captain was John Phillips, and its lieutenants were Edward Hayward and Elphalet Leonard. Edward Hayward served as captain in 1732 and was succeeded by Elphalet Leonard in 1744. Benjamin Williams was the next captain. Some time before the Revolution this company was divided into two companies of militia, one in the east and one in the west part of the town. We have 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 Captain 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 96 men, of whom only 16 were from Easton.

Easton was very active during the Revolutionary War, and sustained her part in that memorable struggle. It was voted, April 3, 1775, 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 Captain 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 brief service, nine days.

In February, 1776, a committee of three was appointed to take care of such of the "poor of Boston" as were then in town. A committee of "'correspondence and inspection" took general charge of war matters here, and 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 mecting, the citizens voted that "if the Honerabel Continantal Congress for the safety of the United Colonies, Declare themselves independent | of Great Breton, we ingage Even at the Resque of life and fotin to do What ever 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 the heartstirring document to a large and eagerly-listening assembly on Sunday next after July 17, 1776. It was then handed to Matthew Hayward, who, like every other town clerk in Massachusetts, proudly recorded it in his town records. Among the military officers 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 affairs, 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. Another of. Maston's heroes in the war was Captain Elisha Harvey, in the artillery service. He was the hero of a brave action at the battle of Brooklyn Heights, where in face of the advancing enemy and after the 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 him. The action was reported to Generai Washington, by whom it was highly complimented. He was a sergeant in Drury's company of Knox's artillery in May, 1776. He was commissioned first lieutenant in Lamb's artillery regiment in 1780. He died at Easton, February 11, 1821. Another man who saw considerable service was Captain James Perry, who raised a company of soldiers as early as 1776. Captain Josiah Keith raised a company of soldiers, thirty-three of whom were from Easton, and served with them for awhile 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 Captain Francis Luscomb, of Taunton; in Captain Keith's; in Captain John Allen's company of Col. Carpenter's regiment; in Captain Macey William's company, and there were some scattered through various other companies.

The War of 1812 did not create much enthusiasm, and there are no facts concerning E,aston's connection with it to call for any special notice. Easton furnished 385 men for the Army and Navy in the Civil War and expended over $40,000 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. In common with other towns in the Commonwealth, Easton did her share in the World War, and 255 of her sons and daughters answered the call of duty. Of those mentioned, the following made the supreme sacrifice: Lieut. George Sarle Shepard, Lieut. Oliver Ames, Jr., Sergeant Winfield Skidmore Knowles; Yeoman Chester Rice Smith; Privates George Francis Schindler, Jeremiah Francis Sullivan, Lawrence Howard Swift, George Philip Workman.

Educational. - It was provided in the articles of incorporation of the town of Easton that within six months from the time of publication of such articles, the town should "procure and maintain a school-master to instruct their youth in writing and reading." 'The High School 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, 1920, there were in Easton 1117 children between the years of five and fifteen. 'Twenty-two per cent. of the inhabitants of Easton are in the local public schools. The total school expenditure was $83,315.10 for year ending December 31, 1920. Easton is' well equipped with modern school buildings. In addition to the Oliver Ames High School building and the New Grammar School building at North Easton, new buildings of modern design have been erected in recent years at South Easton at Unionville and at Poquanticut. As to means for educational purposes, the town of Easton probably stands first in the list of towns of the State. By the will of Hon. Oliver Ames, who died in 1877, it was endowed with the large bequest of $50,000 for the support of schools. In order that such a fund might not tempt the town to reduce its appropria-. tions, 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 the fund is used for general school purposes. Besides this there is another fund of $50,000 left by Hon. Oakes Ames for the benefit of the children of North Easton Village. By the aid of this fund, the High School is being equipped with excellent apparatus, various chemical and. mechanical instruments, including microscope with numerous specimens, a skeleton and a manikin.