Rehoboth Town (part 3 of 3)

Patriotism had the true ring from the beginning and throughout the Revolution in this town, the Committee of Correspondence and Safety, including Ephraim Starkweather, Nathan Daggett, Thomas Carpenter 34d, John Lyon, Joseph Bridgham and William Cole, indicating to Captain Joseph Barney, the town's representative, an indubitable statement of the town's rights and privileges. Two companies were raised in the town; large quantities of saltpetre were manufactured here; soldiers' families were provided for; the town's quota of beef, amounting to 42,106 pounds, was raised. More than 1,400 Rehoboth soldiers took part in the Revolution, Rehoboth men most prominent in that war including the followingnamed: Ephraim Starkweather, confidential adviser of Governor John Hancock; Eliphalet Slack, lieutenant-colonel in the militia; James Bliss, surgeon in the Revolutionary army; Abiah Bliss, Thomas Bowen, Shubael Peck, Abraham Ormsbe, colonels in militia; Thomas Carpenter (3d), and Timothy Walker, colonels in the Revolution; Phanuel Bishop, Jesse Perin, Silvanus Martin, Joseph Wilmarth, captains in the Revolutionary army.

The proceedings of the town throughout the Civil War were in conformity with those of every widé-awake town in the North for the preservation of the Union. From May 1, 1861, and onwards, town meetings were held to secure the raising of quotas for army and supplies, and to pledge bounties for enlisting men. One hundred and sixty-three men from this town served in army and navy, and Rehoboth appropriated and expended on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, $31,032.26, and for State aid to soldiers, afterwards repaid by the State, $6,271.62. The women, tos, through the Home Circle and the Congregational Church Home Circle, were tireless in their task of contributing clothing for the need of the soldiers.

The Rehoboth Auxiliary of the Taunton Red Cross Chapter was organized May 12, 1917, and there were 31 men from this town in the national army in 1918.

Churches and Schools. - The story of the coming of the first minister, Rev. Samuel Newman, in 1643, is an essential portion of the narrative of the town's beginnings, and substantially we have recounted the features of the first settlement, and its religious and civic provision. The death of Rev. Noah Newman, second minister of the church here, took place April 16, 1678, and Samuel Angier was called to the office of minister. He was a graduate of Harvard College, and a member of the board of fellows of that institution. Thomas Greenwood succeeded him as minister in October of 1693, and he also taught school. A new meeting house was built in 1716, and in 1718 the Palmer's River community built a meeting house. The Rev. Thomas Greenwood died September 8, 1720, and his son, Rev. John Greenwood, became settled as pastor of the west part of the town. Upon the completion of the meeting house at Palmer's River, Rev. David Turner, of Scituate, was ordained the minister on November 29, 1721; he had also made some study of medicine. Mr. Greenwood died December 1, 1766, and he was succeeded by Rev. John Carnes, April 18, 1759. He was dismissed by request December 4, 1764. Rev. Ephraim Hyde was ordained pastor of the First Congregational Church May 14, 1766. He died October 11, 1783, and was succeeded by Rev. John Ellis, who had been in the American army as chaplain throughout the war. At his own request, he was dismissed as pastor of the church in 1796. Under this pastorate, a bitter controversy was started, owing to the failure of the precinct system of the time to raise money to pay the pastor, and the repudiation of the tax by religious bodies other than Congregationalists. Mr. Ellis was suc- ceeded by Rey. John Hill, from 1802 to 1816. June 23, 1782, the society had been incorporated as the Congregational Society of the first precinct of the town of Rehoboth, and the old act of 1762, incorporating the first precinct, was repealed. It was during Rev. Mr. Hill's pastorate that the town was divided (in 1812), when the Newman church narrative was no longer a part of Rehoboth's story.

The Congregational church at Palmer's River, with a membership of ten, was organized November 29, 1721, and as has been stated, Rev. David Turner was settled as the pastor. He graduated at Harvard College in 1718, and was pastor here thirty-six years, his annual salary averaging £85. The church and congregation were incorporated as the Second Precinct of Rehoboth in 1759. Mr. Turner died August 9, 1757, and Rev. Robert Rogerson was called as pastor February 29, 1759, £60 being his annual salary, in addition to a settlement of £70. The old meetinghouse was torn down in 1773, the site now being known as the Village Cemetery. The "Yellow Meetinghouse," as it was called, was built immediately ; it was fifty by forty feet in dimensions, was without steeple or bell, and stood next east of the graveyard, facing the south.

Other sects increasing in the town, by request of the society an act was passed in 1792 incorporating the Congregationalists as "The Catholic Congregational Church and Society in the Second Precinct in Rehoboth" ; though since that time the word "Catholic" has been stricken from the title. Rev. Mr. Rogerson, who received the M. A. degree from Harvard in 1765, was pastor of this Second Congregational Church forty years, or until his death, March 20, 1799. Rey. Otis Thompson was ordained minister here September 24, 1800, and so continued for twenty-five years. By reason of his arbitrary disposition and bitter controversies appertaining thereto, Mr. Thompson was dismissed from the pastorate October 30, 1832. He was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Vernon of Newport, Rhode Island, who graduated in Brown University in 1816, and studied at Andover Theological Seminary. He was ordained over this church from September, 1826, while Mr. Thompson still held to the pastorate. The Sunday school was started during his ministry. He resigned in 1837, and he was succeeded in 1838 by Rev. John Chester Paine, and the new church building was dedicated in 1839, its cost having been $3,800. Meantime the "Yellow Meetinghouse" was purchased by Otis Goff, who reconstructed the building into a barn. Mr. Paine's successor was Rev. Charles P. Grosvenor, who was pastor here from. September, 1847, to September, 1856. The present parsonage was built in 1849. The pastors succeeding Mr. Grosvenor were as follows: Rev. Walter P. Doe, 1857-59; Rev. Alexander C. Childs, 1860-62; Rev. S. Y. Lum, 1862-64; Rev. Francis H. Boynton, 1864-67; Rev. Henry Johnson, 1868-69; Rey. Henry D. Woodworth, 1869-72; Rev. Isaac R. Prior, 1873-77 ; Rev. George Henry 'Tilton, 1877-91 (he was chairman of the school committee in 1885-86; founder of the Rehoboth Antiquarian Society, which was organized March 5, 1884; writer of the history of the church in the earlier history of the county, and of the "History of Rehoboth"); Rev. Cyrus D. Harp, 1892-95; Rev. Charles B. Wathen, 1896-1908 (it was during his ministry that the church was renovated at a cost of more than $2,000, in 1906, and the memorial windows placed in the church); Rev. Joseph W. Strout, 1909-15; Rev. Henry E. Oxnard, 1916 - . In 1900, Paschal Allen be- queathed the church a legacy of $1,500; and in 1909 Hon. Edmund E. Peck gave the church a beautifully carved chair in memory of his ancestors who had resided in Rehoboth.

Baptist organizations sprang up almost magically in less than a century after the town was founded, there being seven Baptist churches here by the year 1794, though it is recorded that there had been Baptists here since 1650. 'Vhe Oak Swamp Church that was adherent to the Six Principle Baptists, was gathered in 1732 by Rev. John Comer; he was succeeded by Nathaniel Millard, 1736-42; Elder Samuel Maxwell, 1745; Elder Richard Round to 1768. "In 1773 this church was reorganized under open communion principles, with Jacob Hix as pastor.

The first of the Oak Swamp meetinghouses stood at the junction of Chestnut and Pleasant streets. It was from the time of the ministry of Rev. Jacob Hix that his church was called the First Christian Church of Rehoboth. He was succeeded by Elder Childs Luther, 1812-41, and it was during his pastorate in 1834 that the present house was built by a joint stock company and dedicated. Other ministers in succession have been; Klders Matthias Kk. Gammons, 1842-45 (during whose pastorate the church organized itself as a Christian Union church); James L. Pierce, Otis Bliss, Waterman Pierce, J. W. Osborne, William Miller, Lester Howard (the meetinghouse being rededicated in 1889); T. S. Weeks, C. B. Wathen, Albert Loucks, Ernest Caswell, Frederick Dark.

The Hornbine Church - -the name being a phonetic change from hornbeam, a tree of smooth, gray wood and hard, white wood that grows in the neighborhood - then of the Six-Principle creed, was formed in 1753, the first pastor being Daniel Martin. Soon afterwards, Elder Nathan Pierce was ordained as his assistant, and he remained with this people forty years. 'Those who have followed have been: Elders Thomas Seamans, Preserved Pierce, William Manchester, Joseph Blackmar, Otis Potter, Kiders Warner and Morton, Samuel Knight, Waterman Pierce, Welcome G. Comstock, William Miller, George H. Horton, who secured the substitution of the Free Baptist creed, the ehurch then becoming affiliated with the Free Baptist Association of Rhode Island. Other. pastors have been as follows: Revs. L. B. Rose, B. A. Sherwood, R. I. Hudson, George E. Hathaway, S. H. McKean, W. A. Leonard, Walter Bartlett, John P. Rich-. ardson. It was at about the beginning of the Civil War that the Hornbine people formed the organization styled the First Baptist Church and Society, and established the famous clambakes at Baker's Grove, near the church. In 1886 the Antiquarian bake was begun near the village. The almost equally famous Columbus bake was started in 1911.

The Anawan Union Baptist Society was organized in the spring of 1840, the meetings being held at the Lewis Tavern. Caleb Blood was ordained as the first pastor, and he dedicated the new meetinghouse, November 25, 1840. 'Twenty or more pastors and acting pastors served this church. In 1908 the remaining members of the society donated their building to Anawan Grange.

The "Irons", or Free-Will Baptist Church, was organized October 2, 1777, with thirty-one members, in the north part of the town, and with Elder James Sheldon as the first pastor. He was succeeded by Elder Jeremiah Irons, the church then becoming known as the Irons church. About the year 1822, the church was denominated the First Free-Will Baptist Church in Rehoboth, becoming connected with the Rhode Island quarterly meeting. The second house of this church was dedicated July 4, 1837. In 1892, the church was permanently closed, and it was finally taken down.

The Methodist Episcopal church had its beginning here with the Six- Principle Baptist Church formed in this town near Stevens' corner, about 1740. In 1824 a new meetinghouse was built on the Norton road, where Rev. Lorenzo Dow Johnson and others preached for several years. The present church building was erected in 1843, and in 1849 the church entered the Methodist Episcopal order. The pastoral list is a long one, including S. W. Coggeshall and G. W. King, both authors and able preachers.

Another of the many small religious congregations of this town of many churches and creeds, was Elder Peck's church, that stood in the eastern part of Seekonk, and was taken down in 1815. Elder Samuel Peck, grandson of one of the first settlers of Rehoboth, was the minister.

Rehoboth, December 10, 1643, made the first provision that has been recorded for free public schools by taxation, and among the first teachers were the following named: Edward Howard, Robert Dickson, Rev. Thomas Greenwood. In 1789, when the districts were authorized by law, Rehoboth was divided into fifteen districts, the district system being abolished by the State in 1883. One of the most noted district school teachers in New England was Thomas W. Bicknell, who as teacher in the Red School of this town gave a new inspiration to school life here, that did not confine itself to the town but made its influence felt throughout this part of the State. In 1856 he inaugurated high school studies, and his pupils became some of the most prominent men in this part of the State. The Central School was started in September, 1885, in which the children of four districts were brought together in Antiquarian Hall. In June, 1922, there were 463 pupils enrolled in Rehoboth schools; seventeen pupils were attending high school in Attleboro; eighteen in Taunton, and thirty-eight in Fall River.

The Town and Officiary. - The "Fighting Town Meeting" of May, 1811, was the most pugnacious event that had ever taken place in the annals of the town, when blows were aimed and furniture broken, in the celebrated case of the remonstrance of Stephen Bullock and four hundred and three others against the election of Elkanah French, Caleb Abell, John Medbury Sebra Lawton and Timothy Walker, returned as members of the General Court from the town, the committee concluding in their report that the supposed election was "altogether void and of no effect."

The west part of the town was incorporated into a separate township in 1812, with the name of Seekonk, in token of the earlier name of the section, though the majority of the town was opposed to the division.

The town clerks from the beginning have been as follows: Peter Hunt was elected to the office in 1651, though William Carpenter was keeper of the town records from 1643 to 1649. In succession were the followingnamed: Richard Bowen, chosen in September, 1654; Richard Bullock, January, 1659; William Carpenter, Jr., May, 1668 to 1698; Stephen Paine supplying to March, 1703; Daniel Carpenter, 1703; Daniel Smith, 1706; Daniel Carpenter, March, 1708; Ezekiel Read in 1730 and to 1762, with the excep-

Institutes and Clubs - - The Rehoboth Institute for Mutual Improvement was formed November 19, 1846, with Jonathan Wheaton as president, and John C. Marvel as secretary. The Rehoboth Lyceum Association was organized December 20, 1882, with Rev. George H. Tilton as president and C. C. Viall as secretary.

The Rehoboth Antiquarian Society, a noted foundation for the preservation of relics and writings of this section was incorporated in 1885, the project having been started by Rev. George H. Tilton, and furthered and largely financed by George N. and Darius Goff. February 26, 1886, the Blanding Public Library of Rehoboth with 625 volumes was started by Hon. and Mrs. Thomas W. Bicknell. The first Goff Memorial building was dedicated May 10, 1886, and was destroyed by lightning July 7, 1911; the present building, the new Goff Memorial, was dedicated May 10, 1915, the gift of Darius and Lyman B. Goff, in honor of their father, Darius Goff; the building cost $35,000. The Antiquarian Society had its first clambake Tuesday, August 24, 1886|. The officers in 1923: President, Ellery L. Goff; vice-presidents: Henry T. Horton and Enoch A. Carpenter; secretary, Harold A. Goff; treasurer, George H. Browne; librarian, FE. G. Fuller.

A farmers' club was formed at Briggs' Corner February 11, 1874, with Julian Anness as the prime mover. 'The name chosen for the club was the Briggsville and North Rehoboth Farmers' Club, and the officers were: President, Francis A. Bliss; vice-president, Rev. Gardiner Clark; secretary, Julian Anness; treasurer, Ira Perry. After some years the name was changed to the Rehoboth Farmers' Club, with Thomas R. Salsbury as secretary, and J. F. Moulton as treasurer.

Anawan Grange was established February 22, 1898, the first officers being: Master, Fred U. Cory; overseer, Arthur C. Goff; lecturer, Amelia H. Carpenter; steward, Frank A. Goff; secretary, E. Gertrude Hobbs; treasurer, Joseph F. Earle; chaplain, Almon A. Reed. The Grange came into possession of the Baptist meetinghouse, April 28, 1908.

The Anawan Club owns two hundred acres including Anawan Lake. The location is near Hill Crest, the clubhouse standing on the edge of the lake. The club was chartered in September, 1898, by Rhode Island men.

Industries. - In 1809 the Rehoboth Union Manufacturing Company, manufacturing cotton yarn, built a cotton mill, equipped with 360 spindles. The company was formed August 24 that year by Richard Goff, Dexter Wheeler and Stephen, Thomas, James and Peter Wheeler. In November, 1835, the firm sold out to Nelson and Darius Goff, who began to manufacture cotton batting. A new firm was started in 1842, when E. A. Brown bought out the interest of Nelson Goff, Goff & Brown then adding the manufacture of ball and carpet twine. Like many another of the contemporary plants hereabouts, this one then frequently changed hands, thus: Goff & Brown in 1868 deeded the property to John D. Cranston. Then Darius Goff became owner, with John C. Marvel as partner. Goff and Marvel in 1870 deeded the privilege to William W. Johnston, but the plant being mortgaged back, the firm foreclosed in 1875. Goff & Marvel sold to Hargraves Heap. He sold in 1879 to William H. Bowen, and he to Charles F. Easton. In 1887 John C. Marvel became the owner, and in 1898 J. F. Shaw & Company bought the privilege for the Bay State Street Railway Company. The old mill was then demolished.

For.a century and a half a grist mill stood where the road crosses the upper end of the pond. On its site a cotton mill for the manufacture of yarn was erected in 1810, the company styling themselves the Palmer's River Manufacturing Company. In 1822 the property was sold to Nathaniel and Ebenezer Ide of Attleboro; and in 1824 it went into the hands of Abraham and Isaac Wilkinson of Pawtucket. David and A. and I. Wilkinson purchased the property in 1826. The Rehoboth Woolen Company was then formed, and arrangements were made to forward the business, but it was abandoned, and the same year the Orleans Manufacturing Company was formed, consisting of Benjamin Peck and David Wilkinson & Company. The firm used New Orleans cottons, hence the name. Crawford Allen leased the mill upon the assignment of the firm in 1829, and it was then sold to Benjamin Peck. The mill was destroyed by fire in November, 1831; but the following year it was rebuilt of stone. Mr. Peck operated the mill until 1861, but after the Civil War the company never resumed. In 1865, Nathaniel C. Guild manufactured print cloths, continuing until 1869, and from then until 1874 hosiery was manufactured here. The mill was idle until 1875, when it was purchased by the Cutler Manufacturing Company, making a specialty of hosiery yarn. The factory was burned March 5, 1884, with a loss of $25,000, only the walls being left standing. The Bristol and Warren Water Works bought the Orleans Mills property in March, 1911. At Perryville, Ezra Perry made the first bobbins for cotton factories in the country; and later his sons established turning shops and grist-mills. Members of the Peck family had an ironforging plant near Great Meadow before the middle of the eighteenth century.