Sharon Town

Sharon Town

Deacon Daniel Pettee, died Sept. 13, aged 70 years. He was a native of Sharon, and for 2i"> years had been deacon in the Orthodox Church. He was Selectman for two years, and a useful and honored citizen.

Source changes here: from History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Pioneers and Prominent Men, by Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Ed, published 1884; 12,999 words in this source stream.

By Solomon Talbot

Suaron, located seventeen and one-half miles southwest of Boston, is on the line of the Boston and Providence Railroad, and has two stations. It is bounded on the north by Canton, east by Stoughton, south by Easton, Mansfield, and Foxboro', west by Walpole and Norwood. It occupies the height of land between Boston and Providence, and is the watershed of the Neponset on the north and the stream that runs south into Canoe and Taunton Rivers.

Sharon has an area of about fourteen thousand acres, a little more than one-half of which is under cultivation. In 1880 it contained 1492 inhabitants, and its manufactures at the last State census were: boots and shoes, $93,190; iron and steel goods, $61,700; cotton goods, carriages, boxes, $125,820.

The surface of Sharon is diversified and uneven, and increases in height from the level of the Neponset River, on the northwest, until it reaches, at Sharon east and Beaver Brook on the west side. Lake Massapoag is a beautiful body of water, situated one mile south of the village, and was so named

Many beautiful residences have been built upon the bluffs which overlook the lake by people from Boston, who come from the city during the summer to enjoy its romantic scenery and rural quiet. Upon the southeast side is the Massapoag House, located in a grove either in body or mind. Upon the west side of the lake is Burkhardt's Grove, which has a branch rail- Here parties are brought from Boston or Providence, and spend the day in agreeable recrearoad station.

Southwest of Sharon Heights Station is a large extent of prairie-like land of more than one thousand acres. It was upon this extended plain, after the late war, that the squadrons of the Massachusetts militia were mustered and reviewed by Gen. Benjamin F, Butler, in September, 1866. Here, during three days, they went through the tactics of war, and But now the scene is changed, the swords are turned into plowshares, and

There is a pond of pure, soft, spring water adjoining this plain, named by the Indians '' Wolomolapoag," or 'deep pleasant water." This is to be utilized for irrigating the gardens. No doubt that it will double their productiveness.

The waters of this pond are discharged in a southerly direction, and after passing a.mile or more, cross the main road near where once stood the famous Billings Tavern. This was the earliest house known to have been erected in this town, being located upon the Bristol and Boston post-road. There was a house here before 1660, although it is doubtful if Capt. Billings occupied it before 1675. But he died here in 1717, and has a monument to his memory in the cemetery near this place. This stream continues on into Foxboro', where it assumes the name of Canoe River, and finally empties into Mount Hope Bay.

Moose Hill. - This hill, upon the west side of the town, is a high, rocky region, interspersed with some It has a gradual rise from the plain, and its summit is prob- the summer for people of business or of leisure, or those in quest of health. Here they can repose in a quiet home, away from the dust and turmoil of a city life.

It is uncertain at what period these animals disappeared from this town, but as late as 1765, deer-reeves annually formed a part of the officers of the district, for the protection of moose and deer. A rugged rocks, in olden time, was lighted the signal-torch of liberty. It now has an observatory, twenty feet in height. From be seen Wachusett Mountain and hills in New Hampshire, Boston on the horizon, Blue Hill, and the valley of the Neponset below, interspersed by a landscape that embraces towns and villages, farms and forests, lakes and church spires, and railroad lines, until the view is bounded by the hills in Rhode Island.

There are many smaller hills, as Bluff Head, Bald, and Bullard's Hill. From the southern part of this last-named hill is seen Sharon village nestled among the trees upon the horizon, while the new town house _ is a most conspicuous object upon the right. Below, in the foreground, are seen dotted in the woods the Mas-kwonicut meadows, and a little never-failing |

Rattlesnake Hill is a high, rocky section in the southeast part of the town, mostly covered with wood. | There is a mountain road over its hills that passes by the Tisdale mansion, the Bay Street Chapel (evangelical), and coutinues on to North Easton.

are some excellent granite quarries in the east part of | the town. In former times large quantities of bog iron ore have been here obtained.

circumstances and the condition of affairs when the territory south of the Blue Hills was incorporated as a town, in the year 1726, called Stoughton. This | territory at that time extended from Readville, on the north, to Mansfield (or perhaps Norton at that time), on the south. This west line was nearly twenty miles in length, while the east line extended from the Blue Hills to Bridgewater and Easton on the south. This tract of country was probably ten miles in width. Now, in those times the colonial laws required the support of and the attendance upon public worship on Sunday, and the only Congregational meeting was | held in the meeting-house at Canton Corner. Those people who lived adjacent to other towns worshiped where it was more convenient. But the people mainly went to meeting at Canton. Sharon was a. component part of this territory, which will account for the following petition : |

"To His Excellency, Jonathan Belcher, Esq., Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief in and over His Majestie's Province of the Massachusetts Bay, in New England, and the Honorable, His Majestie's Council and House of Representatives of the General Court assembled at Boston, on the eighth day of June, 1739.

"The petition of John Hixson and Benjamin Johnson, com- | mittee to prefer a petition to this court in behalf of the sub- | scribers, inhabitants of the Southerly part of Stoughton, humbly | sheweth : worship of God, in the North part of the said town, that your petitioners cannot ever, without great difficulty, attend the public worship of God; Wherefore we have petitioned the town once and again, to be eased of the great difficulties we now labor under, but have been by them rejected, notwithstanding the great length of way which some of your petitioners live from the public worship in the North Part, about eight or nine miles; and in consideration of our great duty to attend this Honorable Court to be set off a separate Town or Precinct, but this Honorable Court did not see cause to grant the petition. The reason, as we humbly conceive, was the answers to the petition, which were wrong and erroneous.

"Therefore, your petitioners humbly pray that this Honorable Court, to see with your own eyes, by sending a committee to view the circumstances, at the charge and cost of the petitioners; that this Honorable Court may be rightly informed, and see the unjust proceedings of the Honorable respondents, and their fallacious answers to our former petitions; and as your petitioners are obliged by conscience and law to attend the worship of God, they have, by a free contribution, maintained preaching among themselves for a considerable time. Notwithstanding they bave paid their proportional part to the North Part, where they can have but little or none advantage.

""We would beg leave to inform this Honorable Court that since we have had preaching among us, it has encouraged some well minded persons to come and settle within the limits herein petitioned, and, if it should please the Honorable Court to grant our petition, it would be a great encouragement to a great many more, if your petitioners were in a capacity to have the ordinances of God administered among them; and your petitioners having had some experience, by their having maintained preaching among themselves, they look on themselves as able to maintain the worship of God.

"Your petitioners, therefore, humbly pray this Honorable Court that they would please to send a committee to view our circumstances, that so your petitioners may be put into a capacity that they may have the ordinances of our Saviour settled among them, in a regular order, by setting them off as district, and separate town or precinct, viz.'

"Wherefore, we pray your Excellency and Honors would be pleased to hear our request, and grant our petition, and as we in duty bound, shall ever pray.

County, Massachusetts

The meeting-house was completed during the year. Capt. Benjamin Johnson made the irons for the great doors of the meeting-house, and everything appeared so safe and secure that the committee ordered a place in the gable prepared for the ammunition of the pre- Capt. Johnson procured a ladder and brought the ammunition and placed it in the repository made for it. life now rested from their labors and passed away,

John Hixon, an enterprising mechanic, built a house near the Chestnut Hill Cemetery, known as the " Increase Hewins' house," where he resided. ably gave the first land for the cemetery, and made bricks from the clay in the meadow opposite. He died May 13, 1751.

Samuel Bird lived on a farm at the outlet of Masapoag, which he occupied in 1716, and died in 1742. His son Samuel was afterwards deacon of the church.

William Tolman having bought a tract of land south of Massapoag for the purpose of preparing a new home, was assisted by his brother, Johnson Tolman, in clearing off the forest and erecting a habitation. They stopped at Samuel Bird's, for the Birds and the Tolmans were formerly neighbors in Dorchester.

Here the boys seemed to be at home. Sharon was in those days comparatively a wilderness. Beyond was an almost interminable forest and swamp, and yet the boys were two miles from their destination. Being a young man of fertile invention and a good

Having made all ready and taking their dinner with them, William and his brother started on a voyage of discovery to find the new farm. It is supposed that William and Johnson Tolman were the first white In this manner they continued their labors. Early morning and twilight evening found them enjoying the cool refreshing breezes of Massapoag, as they floated to and from the scene of their daily toil. and subdued the land, and when the adjoining property came into market Johnson bought it, there being

They now began to clear Johnson's land, which proved to be of a superior quality. They were both One day, as they were quietly eating their dinner, they were surprised to see a partridge Soon, however, it was followed by an enormous rattlesnake which, seeing the men, stopped pursuing the bird, and, with head erect, eyed the strangers, while with an oscillating movement of its tail it commenced a free musical entertainment for their especial benefit. Not appreciating the musical talents of the performer, nor desiring the company of such visitors, they quickly dispatched the snake with a musket which was near them.

Sharon

William built a house and brought home a wife, | who proved a helpmate indeed. The snake had produced a decidedly unpleasant im- | pression upon Johnson's mind. He did not fancy | such unbidden guests in his garden, and soon after | sold out his farm to his brother, and returned to Dor- | chester. This farm proved afterwards to have the most fertile soil, and became one of the most successful farms in Sharon.

As had been anticipated, many worthy people be- | came residents of the Second Precinct during the next | quarter of a century. Among those who afterwards became active in public affairs may be mentioned Benjamin Gannett, William Billings, Jr., Nathaniel | Morse, David Fisher, and Israel Smith, as well as the descendants of the first settlers, who had now become | active citizens.

The French and Indian Wars. - From 1750 to 1760 the Second Precinct furnished a large number | of soldiers for the king's service, although the call was made for Stoughton; that town included the above precinct. The soldiers whose names are annexed are | presumed to be from Stoughtonham, and served at Crown Point, Ticonderoga, and Fort William Henry: |

In Cou. MILuer's REGIMENT. Elkanah Billings, capt. Samuel Billings, lieut. Eleazer Robbins, ensign. Elijah Billings, sergt. Timothy Morse, sergt. Ebenezer Billings, sergt.

Capt. Ebenezer Mann, of Stoughtonham, went into the war with a company, but as the soldiers are most of them from Wrentham they are not included in the Second Precinct.

The results of this campaign were of incalculable citizens had been taught a lesson in self-reliance, they had learned the They had fought by the side of the veterans of England, and, notwithstanding the pomp and pride of war, they had found the army to be composed of men like themselves. The precinct had valuable religious privileges granted by the General Court, and they could see no reason why their civil rights were not to them equally valuable and available. Therefore, Joseph Hewins, Jr., William Richards, and Jeremiah Fuller were ordered to present a peti-

"An act for incorporating the Second Precinct in the Town of Stoughton, in the County of Suffolk (as it now is), into a district by the name of Stoughtonham.

and immunities, which the inhabitants of any town within this province, do, or by law ought to enjoy: excepting only the privilege of sending a representative to the General Assembly : And that the inhabitants of said district shall have liberty, from time to time, to join with the town of Stoughton in the choice of a Representative."

Joseph Hewins, Esq., was authorized by the aforesaid act, passed June 2, 1765, to issue a warrant to some principal inhabitant in said district, to notify and warn the freeholders and inhabitants therein, qualified to vote in town affairs, to meet at the meet-

By virtue of the above act, Joseph Hewins, Esq., issued his warrant to Richard Hixson, inhabitant, who warned the inhabitants of said district to meet for the above-named purpose on the 8th day of July, 1765.

At a meeting held on the 8th day of July, 1765, Daniel Richards was chosen moderator and clerk of said district. Daniel Richards, Mr. Job Swift, and

Although the inhabitants rejoiced in the accession to their number of those that feared and worshiped God, still it is hardly possible that some of the baser sort should not have grown up or settled among them.

There is no record of any sentences or punishments inflicted upon evil-doers in these days, but the following record would intimate the terror of the law was before their eyes, for in 1772 the treasurer was ordered to pay " Wilham Price the sum of one pound plank and irons, and district, and carrying

Very early in the troubles of the colonies with the mother-country were the questions of public policy discussed in the public meetings of Stoughtonham. The inhabitants who had suffered the privations and atrocities of the Indian wars for their sovereign, King George II., had learned a lesson in the school of war they were not soon to forget. They were not children, to be intimidated by the acts of Parliament or the soldiers of King George III.

tion the state of their liberties and privileges, as exhibited in a pamphlet sent from Boston, which, after being read, the following votes were passed, viz. :

"Ist. That under God, through our Forefathers, we have enjoyed invaluable liberties and privileges, civil and religious, and when we consider the worth of them, and how dear it cost our forefathers to purchase these, for themselves and their posterity, we cannot but esteem them highly, nor wonder to see the people alarmed, when they behold their liberties and privileges threatened and invaded.

"2d. That from what we have heard and seen, we cannot but think that some of our liberties and privileges have been taken from us, and others are threatened, and that it is an alarming crisis with us, and we have a loud call in Providence to us, to imitate the prudent man, who foreseeth the evil and hideth himself,

"3d. That since we are bid to look to ourselves, not only in spiritual but in temporal affairs, we look upon it as our duty, and it shall be our practice, to use all constitutional measures to remove the burdens we feel and prevent those we fear, respecting our civil and religious affairs and concerns.

"Sth. That our deputy use his utmost interest and influence in Court, in a constitutional way and manner, to recover what liberties and privileges have been taken from us, and secure those that remain, and that our clerk inform him of this action.

"6th. That we own King George the third to be our rightful lord and sovereign, and promise allegiance to him, but at the same time deny the parliamentary power of taxing us, being without the realm of England, and not represented there.

1774, August 29th. In a legal district meeting, it was, on motion made to see if the district were willing to comply with the late acts of the Parliament, voted, unanimously, in the negative. This year the treasurer was ordered to pay for a cask of powder and one hundred flints.

At a meeting held Jan. 2, 1775, it was voted 'that Mr. Job Swift be a delegate to meet with the Congress at Cambridge, on the 1st day of February next.

Voted, that a large committee be chosen for the public good, and that they use their utmost endeavors to suppress all disorders and outrages and disturbances in this district, and that said committee consist of the following persons: Messrs. Ebenezer Capen, Israel Smith, David Fisher, Ebenezer Hill, Benjamin Gannett, John Comee, Capt. Edward Bridge Savels, Thomas Richards, William Paine (2d), Capt. Ebenezer Tisdale, Samuel Gould, Benjamin Fairbanks, Elijah Baker, Josiah Robbins, Lieut. Richard Hixson.

1775, February 3d. Voted to raise twenty-eight minute-men and two officers, and that they exercise two half-days ina week. Also, that the committee supply four guns for the men who have none, at the cost of the district.

These men probably intended to have served in Capt. Samuel Payson's company, but living most of them in the south part of the district, or Foxboro', when they arrived Capt. Payson had left with his company, and these men were mustered into a company under Capt. Israel Smith, of Moose Hill, and proceeded forthwith to the scene of action.

paths, and houses were scattered far between, and many were located in the fields. The occupants of these houses were some of them young women who The bride had left father in the struggle for life, home, and liberty, and these women felt in their hearts a glow of patriotism and conscious pride that they had done what they could.

In the afternoon the contest seemed to have redoubled its fury. What were the thoughts of these women as the horrors of war and bloody strife entered their minds? What if their husbands or sons should be slain in battle, and a revengeful, conquering enemy should put in execution their threats to come with fire and sword, burn the houses and kill the defenseheavy cannonading in the distance, at Boston. roar of heavy guns continued all the forenoon.

fearful contest. beheld before them on the horizon, twenty miles away, in a fearful mass of smoke and flames, Charlestown, with its six hundred buildings.

Anxiously awaiting some tidings from the terrible strife before them they went into the school-house, where they could sympathize with and console each Others came in, and a goodly number were gathered. Their minister, the Rev. Philip Curtis, who had faithfully watched over them these many years, was with them, with his prayers, exhortations, Here on this eventful night was held Here affections to husband and a new home. Now, when the husband of a few days put on the armor of war, and went away to battle for his country, the light and love of the bride's heart seemed gone forever.

But the occupants of some of these houses were women who were past the meridian of life. Their gray hairs and stern features told of a life of hardship and toil, and they had hoped their declining | years would have rested lightly in the bosom of the | Yet they could give up their tea and little luxuries of life, | which they had loved so well, for the love they bore | _ knowing their needs and necessities (in case of a confamily that had grown up around them.

| He also bought a farm east of Massapoag Lake, where _ he resided during the remainder of his life. The memsons as they went forth from their homes to engage | bers of this distinguished family were most of them decided patriots. That was the case with Edmund Quincy, Jr. One day while walking upon the beach of Massapoag his attention was attracted by the large amount of iron ore lying useless and neglected upon the shore and extending into the water. Being much flict with the mother-country) for the want of heavy guns, he imparted the information to his friend, Col. Richard Gridley, of Boston, who had been an engi- neer in the colonial service, and was the only American in this country who knew anything in regard to the manufacture of cannon. right to take the ore from Massapoag of the " Dorchester proprietors."' Quincy, also, in connection with Gridley and Joseph Jackson, of Boston, purchased the furnace of the Ebenezer Mann Company, for the manufacture of heavy guns.

Col. Gridley came out to Canton in 1772, and, in connection with his son Scarborough, commenced draining the pond and exposing the ore. Large quantities of the ore were taken out in 1773, and yet the guns were not completed until 1775. These were the first Col. Gridley, who had be- | come the chief engineer of the American army, with a | number of men proceeded to Massapoag Pond to | prove the guns.

gunnery in the French war with Col. Gridley, vol- | unteered his assistance and accompanied the party. | Previous to leaving the house he had deposited in a | place of safety several bags of Spanish dollars, the proceeds of a cargo of fish which he had just sold in the West Indies. In the meanwhile an impostor rode - through the town stating that the British had marched out of Boston, and were near at hand destroying | everything in their track. Capt. Curtis returned | home to find the family had fled to the woods, except the faithful negro, who had put out the fires, armed | himself with a heavy club, and was determined, as he said, to defend the house. The bags of money he said were at the bottom of the well, and he pointed out the hiding-place of the family. These guns having proved satisfactory, were taken to Roxbury and then to Dorchester Heights.

The second call for soldiers came on the 4th of March, 1776. In response to this order, the company | of Capt. Edward Bridge Savels marched to Dor- | chester Hills. | and caused the evacuation of the town by the British army. Exasperated beyond measure by the daring of the patriots, whom they pretended to despise, they sought every means to be revenged. Among other dastardly acts, they burned the light-house on Castle From the proximity of the vessels of the

Therefore a third call was issued. To this call Capt. Savels, of Stoughtonham, promptly responded on the 22d of March, 1776. His company was now officered as follows: Edward Bridge Savels, capt. Royall Kollock, lieut. William Billings, lieut. Levi Morse, sergt. Ebenezer Richards, sergt. Nathaniel Cumings, sergt.

vessels from Thompson's and Spectacle Islands. So vigorously did he play upon the vessels, that they were quite willing to weigh anchor and drop down to Nantasket Roads, beyond the reach of the guns of the American army. The object of the British having been effectually prevented, the soldiers returned home.

sum of £13 6s. 8d., to be paid by the town at the time of their passing muster, and at the end of each year, for the term of three years, if the war continue so long.

The families of these men were supplied by the committee of the town with such necessary articles as contributed to their sustenance and comfort during the absence of+the soldiers in the war.

Canton, was Company 7, whose officers, thaniel Morse, Lieut. Ezra Morse, were of Stoughtonham, as were the following men. They were not all in Capt. Morse's company, but most of them did duty out of the State, at Fishkill or Claverack, on the Hudson River. The General Court paid these soldiers two shillings per mile as travel fees, the distance computed at two hundred and ten miles.

The district paid first requisition of beef, 7210 pounds, £10,815; second requisition of beef, 14,845 pounds, £20,764. Total, £31,579. Stoughtonham was required to furnish the support of thirty-one poor persons who left Boston during the siege. Also the district furnished 42 shirts, 42 pairs stockings, and 42 pairs of shoes for the soldiers in the army.

The taxes were heavy and their burdens hard to bear. Many who were able sought relief in immigration, and no doubt they prospered in the change. Store. - The first store was opened in Stoughtonham about 1750 by Benjamin Hewins, Esq., near the residence of his great-grandson, Mr. Lyman Hewins. Many of his account-books are now in existence, and are remarkable for the clearness and beauty of the penmanship, as well as for the fact that there is no record of the sale of spirituous liquors upon its pages. Negroes. - It is from these account-books and other sources that it is learned that the following negroes were held as servants: Rey. Philip Curtis had Scipio; Joseph Everett, Cato; Samuel Cumings, Czsar;. Edmund Quincy, Jr., Cuffe; Benjamin Randall, Boston, who is still remembered by the older members of the community, although he died more than fifty years ago. He was very punctual in his attendance upon the meetings on the Sabbath, and outlived his master, who left a maintenance for Boston during his lifetime. Cato Johnson was probably a negro who served three years in the Continental army, and afterwards was cared for and supported by the town. Civil History. - The enabling act, authorizing all districts in the province of Massachusetts Bay to become towns by a general law, was passed on the 23d of August, 1775. Stoughtonham became a town on that day, but it was nearly six months before the _record of the clerk incidentally notices this fact. The question naturally arises, Why was this long circuit of measures required before the people could enjoy their rights and privileges ? It will be seen, as a precinct they only had the | privilege of meeting together on the Sabbath and sup- | porting public worship ; as a district, they were to be vested " with all the powers, privileges, and immunities which any town do have, or by law ought to enjoy." Still the fact is apparent that the English government prefered to have good dependents rather than good lawmakers. The laws passed by the province were to be revised in England, and approved, before they became the law of the land here.

Now the first thing, almost, to be done after the declaration of independence was to invest the districts with their natural rights by making them independent corporate bodies or towns.

After Stoughtonham became a town the people voted to have the General Court change its name to Washington, but there is no account of any further action on this subject.

"An Act for discontinuing the name of a town in the County of Suffolk incorporated by the name of Stoughtonham, and calling the same SHARON.

" Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, That the said town of Stoughtonham shall no longer bear that name, but henceforth shall be called and known by the name of Sha- offices in the same manner as they would have done had not the name of said town been altered. "Tn the House of Representatives, Feb. 24, 1783.

The Rey. Philip Curtis was born in Roxbury, Oct. 4,1717. He entered Harvard College in 1734, and took his degree in 1738. He was admitted to churchfellowship, and studied divinity with Rev. Dr. Bowman, of Dorchester, where he taught school. He preached his first sermon in Sharon in May, 1741, and was ordained to the ministry Jan. 5, 1742. His salary was £60 13s. 6d. a year, with the use of the ministerial meadow and wood from the precinct woodlot. chester, by whom he had six children.

College in 1766; studied medicine, and was a surgeon on board a privateer during the Revolution. His wife, Elizabeth, died May 24, 1752, aged thirty-two years. On Oct. 31, 1754, he married Elizabeth Randall, of Sharon, and by this marriage he had five sons.

It was now 1787, and the faithful pastor and the meeting-house had grown old together. Having seen more than a half-century's service, the people con- The pastor gave them an acre more land and relinquished a portion of his salary to encourage them.

The new meeting-house was erected in 1787. Joseph Hewins, Esq., procured a bell in London, which was placed in the tower in 1790, at a cost of sixtytwo pounds. This bell became broken, and a new bell was cast at Canton, which replaced the old bell in 1809. )

"T hereby signify that I release you from all lawful claims upon me, after the completion of last year's salary, relying on your charity and generosity should I hereafter stand in need.

in his parish, and two hundred and sixty-four were added to the church. Mrs. Elizabeth Curtis, his last wife, died March 11, 1823, at the advanced age of ninety-one years. At a meeting held Dec. 17, 1798, it was

" Voted, that a committee of nineteen be chosen to take into consideration what sum will be proper to propose to him for his settlement and annual salary."

"Voted to pay him semi-annually one hundred and sixty-six dollars and sixty-six and a half cents, as a salary, as long as he remains their minister."

Never had there been a more auspicious settlement in Sharon. The church was crowded with hearers, and new pews were added in that already capacious meeting-house.

predecessor in the ministry. He also taught school, and entered into plans for the general interest of the town. it was not until political and sectarian questions came up in after-years that there began to be differences of opinion in regard to his usefulness as a public minister. Mr. Whitaker held to the old Puritan way of his predecessor of baptizing children, and when in after-years they desired to live in a closer communion with God, they were confirmed upon assenting to the covenant, and became members of the church.

began to be held in this town, and he was no Laban, to say to the itinerant, '' Abide in my household," or to take the innovator into his field of labor. | It is not necessary to discuss those questions of a past | _ the pastoral office, continuing until July 9, 1856.

solved. This result was secured by the society paying Mr. Whitaker five hundred dollars, April, 1816. This religious and political controversy in the town did not cease with the withdrawal of Mr. Whitaker, but continued to be exceedingly bitter and relentless for tled in 1817. years, as the Rev. Samuel Brimblecom succeeded to the pastorate of the society Dec. 3, 1821, and continued in office until March 13, 1826.

"When but a little boy I trod its sacred shade, In thankfulness and joy There I oft have played. My mother led me there, My father pressed my hand, Forgive this foolish tear, But let that old house stand."

| Charles C. Sewall, of Medfield, supplied the preachpastor and people, until finally a council was held, | and such grievances as the people labored under were | ing. From this time there was no regular preaching until Jan. 4, 1868, when the Rev. George W. Stacy, of Milford, supplied the pulpit. . Mr. Stacy's labors ceased on May 2, 1870. The Rev. Mr. Tyndall supplied the pulpit until September, 1870. After 1870 the church was supplied by candidates.

In April, 1875, the Rev. John Wills preached for several Sabbaths, and for several months in the summer the Rev. William H. Savary, of Cantor, preached.

In 1878, Rev. W. G. Todd preached through the summer months. From this time there was no regular preaching until the Rev. William O. White, of Brookline, officiated as pastor from September, 1881, until September, 1883.

The Baptist Society. - The first meetings were held at the houses of Mr. Leavitt Hewins and Mr. Joshua Whittemore by the Rev. Mr. Gammell, of Medfield. flocked to hear him preach.

The Baptist society was formed in 1813, when Jeremiah Richards was chosen treasurer. On Oct. 26, 1814, the church was organized, and numbered twenty-six members. The first deacons were Joshua Whittemore and Leavitt Hewins. Barnabas D. Capen was elected in 1845, and Charles D. Hixon in 1877.

The Rev. Mr. Gammell was succeeded by the Rey. Henry Kendall, from Maine. In the year 1818, | Samuel Wait was ordained as pastor, and he continued in office four years, when he was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Barrett, who preached about two years. Then, in 1823, Rev. Thomas Le Favour preached one year.

In August, 1831, the Rev. Caleb Green was settled. As the numbers had increased it was thought advisable to erect a church, which was built in 1833. The next pastor was the Rev. Thomas Driver. In April, 1835, the Rev. Silas Hall filled the pastorate. He was succeeded by Rev. George N. Wait. In the year 1841, Edward G. Sears was elected pastor and continued in office until 1843, when he was succeeded by Rev. George W. Patch. He in turn resigned, and | the Rev. Alfred Colburn took his place.

The Rev. Benjamin A. Edwards was settled in 1865, and continued as pastor until 1872, when the Rey. Lyman Partridge acepted the pastorate and continued to preach until 1882. " During all these years," these statistics are mainly taken, "' we have labored together in harmony, while my relations to the people of the town have each year become pleasanter and more intimate. I count it a privilege and blessing to be able to make this last statement so near the | close of a pastorate of almost ten years."

The Christian Society (Trinitarian ), - Ata meeting held at the house of Mr. Philip Curtis, it was voted that a committee be chosen to take measures for forming a new society. Deacon Joel Hewins, Deacon Benjamin Fairbanks, and Lemuel D. Hewins were chosen, and at a subsequent meeting made the following report : long preserved in this country, has doubtless been the principal cause of the unhappy difficulties now existing between this church and the Congregationalist society in this place ; and this church having borne, as long as forbearance is conceived to be a duty, and seeing no prospect of a restoration of harmony between them and the society, deem it necessary and expedient to withdraw from said society, that they may independently of any body of men whatever enjoy the ordinances of religion agreeably to the practice of the primitive churches, and the sentiment of this church.

"Wherefore this church do hereby constitute themselves into a religious society, to be called and known by the name of the 'Christian Society in Sharon.' That in addition to the officers of the church, there shall annually be chosen by the church a clerk and treasurer, and also a committee of three persons to procure preaching and give certificates of membership to all who may wish to unite with this church for the support of public worship, agreeably to a law of this commonwealth, passed June 18, 1811, and generally to manage the prudential concerns of this society."

It was voted to accept the report June 16, 1821. The Rev. Joseph B. Felt was invited to become pastor of this church and society, which invitation he accepted, and he continued in office until 1825.

In 1822 the society built their meeting-house. The next minister was the Rev. Jonathan Curtis, who was installed in October, 1825, and continued in office until the year 1834, when he requested to be released from the pastoral office, which was granted by the society.

In 1841 the Rev. Lebbeus R. Phillips was settled as pastor. This was one of the most successful pastorates enjoyed by the society, and was terminated by the request of Mr. Phillips in 1860. The Rev. Perley B. Davis succeeded Mr. Phillips, Jan. 29,

1862, and continued in office until April 8, 1867, when he was dismissed at his own request. He afterwards settled in Hyde Park, where he still preaches. Rev. 8S. Ingersol Briant was settled April 22, 1868, and continued in office until April, 1874, when he resigned. He was succeeded by the Rev. Henry C. Weston, who was born in Charlestown, Mass., May 9, 1844. After leaving the high school he entered

Vt. Chelsea, Aug. 18, 1870. Sept. 2, 1874. An excellent preacher, eminently social in his character and his relations with his people, a world of usefulness seemed to open before him. He early became interested in the schools as a committee, and he also served the town as superintendent of schools. But this continued but a short time. His health soon became impaired and he was obliged to abandon his labors, not only as superintendent but also as pastor of his church and society. His interest in the labors he had chosen never ceased, although it covery. hope of a glorious immortality, and leaving many sorrowing friends to lament his early departure. Mrs. Weston and three children remain in Sharon.

Physicians. - How great is the influence of the medical profession over the individuals in the community. The patient who recovers from a serious malady is ever likely to retain lively emotions of gratitude towards the man who has rescued him from a bed of | sickness, pain, or death.

Dr. Samuel Hewins was born in this town, Aug. 31,1734, He married, in 1760, Sarah, the daughter of Dr, Nathaniel White, of Weymouth, his instructor. He settled in Sharon near the trowel-works. He was an active and useful man, brought up a family, and died in 1827.

geon in Col. Jacob Gill's regiment in the Revolution. He bought the place now occupied by Mr. Increase Hewins, where, after his marriage with Lois Whiting, of Wrentham, his children were born. His wife died in 1795, and afterwards he married Irene Balch, of Dedham. After the marriage of his son, Elijah

Dr. Samuel Capen, born in this town May 20, 1757, studied medicine with Dr. Samuel Hewins, and finished his course of study at Randolph. He married, Nov. 18, 1792, Sarah Savels, of this town, and resided east of Massapoag, where his children were born. After his daughter Sarah married he left Sharon, and resided in Brockton, where he died Dee. 13, 1843, aged eighty-seven years.

Dr. Daniel Stone was born in Framingham, and graduated from Harvard University in the class of He then studied medicine with Dr. Willard, of Uxbridge, and practiced some time, when he afterwards came to Sharon. He boarded for a time with

| the Rev. Mr. Whitaker, who was his classmate in colbecame evident that there was little hope of his re- | He died Feb. 24, 1883, rejoicing in the | | life.

lege. Afterwards he built the house now occupied by the Rev. A. P. Chute. Here he resided during his He was town clerk in 1819, and filled many offices in the town; was a respected member of the Massachusetts Medical Society. He died in August, 1842. There are but two of his children living, - Albert Stone, Esq., of Elgin, Ill., and Dr. Charles Stone, of Marysville, Cal.

Dr. Norton Quincy Tirrell succeeded Dr. Stone in Sharon. Dr. Tirrell was born in Weymouth in 1817. At an early age he was by the death of his father thrown upon his own resources. By his industry he managed to acquire the means to attend the academy at Willbraham, Woburn, and Gilmanton, N. H., where he finished his early school days. He then went to New York, and from there to Norfolk, Va. Here he taught school and studied medicine ; afterwards he attended lectures at Washington, D. C., where he graduated. He was married in 1842, and the same year located in Sharon. Here he was highly esteemed as a physician and townsman, and an active member of the Christian Church and society. In 1852 he left Sharon for his native town, where he enjoyed a highly successful and lucrative practice. He died on Oct.. 19, 1882.

Dr. Amasa D. Bacon was a physician of experience when he came to this town and succeeded to the estate and practice of Dr. Tirrell. Naturally a man of more than ordinary force of character, he was tender obliging as a neighbor, an active citizen of the town and the Christian society. He represented the town in the Legislature and on the board of school committee. Well posted in the advancement of medical science, he was an honored member of the Massachusetts Medical Society. He rode more to see patients during the last winter of his life than any winter before. His sickness, caused by exposure and other causes, terminated fatally on March 28, 1881, in the seventy-sixth year of his age. He had by his first wife, Clara Choate Bacon, two sons; by his last wife, Nellie Choate Bacon, one daughter.

Soldiers in the War of 1812. - Although the people of New England were not generally in sympathy with the war of 1812, yet Sharon contributed her share of the State's quota, as the following names will show:

Schools. - Coeval with the religious and secular polity of the town was the appropriation of lands for the support of public schools and for the instruction of youth. 'These privileges were so highly prized and enjoyed by the youth of the early days, that in after-years, when they became the actors upon the stage of life, they resolved these benefits should not only be continued, but they should be increased beyond what they had enjoyed.

" GenTLEMEN, - The undersigned being a committee from the subscribers to the Sharon Friends' School Fund, have the pleasure to present to youa subscription paper for the purpose of beginning a fund for the education of the youth of your Town. . .. It is with pleasure we look back and remember the Land of our Fathers, - the place of Our Birth.

" Believing as we do, that to give the present and future generations a good, sound, practical education is the surest means of preserving our most valuable privileges, both civil and religious, which we consider to be far greater than any other

"This rand is now begun with a hope and expoetanen that it will be increased, so that every child in your town will have an opportunity to acquire a good practical education, and that it may be the means of increasing Education, Peace, Harmony, and the good feelings of every inhabitant of your place... .

"This is offered as a token of remembrance of the place of our nativity, with our best wishes for your peace, your prosperity, and your happiness as a town and individually.

Otis: Everett, Boston .......:sscecscessscscsiecdvscsecicenecehorceteee $1000 Andrew, Drake; BOstOn...s.ssssccee\ccoccancieeesenants asocvoceerent 100 Oliver Fisher, Boston.. Sols lelcow aslo seeecendeneere 100 Moses' Hiverett, Boston ....<+..200-s:cesescsscceisseinciucihicefoarenes eLOD, Aaron Hiverett, BOStOnl.....ccsccecsssoscsressalceccsenctionmrestenenee 100 Mace Tisdale, Boston. .....01s.ce0ssesccieresec/stccuseccicenentinarees 50 Thomas Curtis; .BOStON s...ccccceescccceesiesceceleceresincstateeceres 50 Daniel Johnson, BoOstOn':....cccccoscececcsiecatescweisesece Seelecnees 50 HS G.Wiares "Boston... <c.c-coccccsiseses serie chins oenioctenctecateene 25 SS Ke tHewins, Boston s..:..cc0cccccccoscsececdnssesene Seccuacencans 25 Whiting Hewins, Boston........ sesices olen ccstes siccdavececvess sslees 25 Warren' Hisher; Bostons.....cccccccsssoscle-cseseosnesesees So9000000 25 games: Hendley, Boston ...cssccccce-sloocostecsinoencste SasOC00009 25 Jbewis! Morse, ROXbUry)......2..+--ccscocesconsiseseosenctascassces a 25 Hizrac Morse, ROXDULY...<..0.200 <csesiccleeesisecnenlececsenesese eames 25 Tuther Morse, Roxbury <:....s.0cce cess secsecusecelscsnccivoceesens 25 | Oliver Hverett, Sharon\.s...:<..+sescccsecesejecseseisecsseteneeeeacners 50 | Hdward Richards, Cambridge........6..css-.cclnescoscsacsee oreee 25 Jabez Fisher, Cambridge...... Sevisisedecseselsanceinds sccneecemaenes 25 Johny Curtis) Bostons.....ces<sseies Sols sslealsicieci valsloceoctestsceete nee 10 $1810 husband, Abel Hewins, was a native of this town, the SUIN (OL.stoss.vassessaasecleocecelcececelecves sie oesiecivacs cerecadeseeetrtee 500 Making a permanent investment of total............ $5000

The town's appropriation was never to be lessened on account of the fund. Still, many people felt the importance of a higher grade of study than that furnished by the public schools. This want was happily supplied by Sanford Waters Billings, A.M., of this town, and a graduate of Amherst College, who erected a school-house at his own expense, and gave instruction in the classical and higher mathematical studies. His school became popular, not only in this but in the neighboring towns, and for seventeen years Mr. Billings has devoted his time to the cause of edu- When the needs of the town required the establishment of a high it was with the same generous feeling that actuated those noble benefactors of a former age, rather than the stern requirements of the law, which led to the establishment of the Sharon high school. This school is under the charge and instruction of

Public Library. - The town has a well-selected public library, which, although not so extensive, is highly appreciated and well patronized by the community.

weekly paper, edited by William B. Wickes, Esq., and is devoted mainly to the interest of Sharon in local and general news, and the elevation of the community in social, moral, and philanthropic matters. The Post-Offices. - The first post-office was established at Cobb's Tavern, on the Bay road, July 1,

The front doors open outward and give access to a vestibule eleven by fifteen feet. From this is a corridor which leads to a school-room thirty-eight by thirty-eight feet ; previous to reaching this room there is a door that opens into a library-room, also into the reading-room adjoining. The first room on the left is the town clerk's office, eleven by eighteen feet, and has a brick vault for storing records. This vault is protected by double iron doors. school committee room, eighteen by fourteen feet, and connected with this by folding doors is the recitationroom, twelve by eighteen. From this room is the vestibule, from the side door of the building into the school-room, and then the coat-rooms, with hooks, the passage to the basement stairs, and the stairs to the rear of the main hall.

The main stairway is on the right of the vestibule, and is, like the tower in which it is located, circular or spiral in its course. Under this stairway is an ample closet.

At the head of these stairs is a lobby twelve by sixteen feet, from which a balcony over the front door is reached by windows. by twelve feet, and twelve by sixteen feet, on each side of the lobby.

The building has an ornamental heavy base watertable, and is erected on a handsome foundation of Sharon granite by John Moyle. the building are L. E. and T. L. Barlow, and the architect was Arthur H. Dodd, of Boston.

clothes with her own hands, and at night put them on, and started for Taunton, in hopes some one would direct her to the army headquarters. In a few days, however, she reached New Bedford, where she proposed to ship on board a cruiser, but being informed

_ of the captain's bad treatment of his men, she abandoned the design. She now resolved to make a tour of several towns in Norfolk County, and afterwards she enlisted into the service at Worcester for three years, as a resident of Uxbridge, under the name of Robert Shurtlieff. The muster-master was Eliphalet Thorp, of Dedham. On May 13th she arrived at West Point, on the Hudson, in company with fifty soldiers.

The march of ten days was very fatiguing to her, and at the close of a chilly, wet day, on approaching the fire, she fainted and fell on the floor. Upon recovery she found herself surrounded by kind spirits the river and was assigned for duty in Capt. Webb's company of Light Infantry, in Col. Shepard's regi- Here her garb was exchanged for a uniform peculiar to the infantry. She learned the manual exercise with facility. She was about five feet seven inches in height. Her features were regular, though they would not be called beautiful. Her eye was clear and penetrating, and ladies of

Her movement was erect and strong, gestures natural, mild, and graceful. Her first experience in actual warfare was in Capt. Webb's company on scout duty in the morning with a party of Dutch cavalry. The ground was warmly disputed for some time; at length, however, the infantry were obliged to give way, but they were quickly reinforced by the Second The Americans having retired to their encampment, our fair soldier came near losing her life by drinking cold water. She said she underwent more from the heat and fatigue of the day next her was killed by the second fire. While iu this vicinity she was twice wounded, once by a sabre cut on the face, and again bya bullet wound in the groin; the wound in the face was healed by salves and plasters, but the wound in the groin she dressed herself, and endeavored to extract the ball herself rather than have her sex discovered. In this, however, she succeeded, and was soon able to be on duty again.

In August, after eleven days of excessive traveling, the forces under Washington and Lafayette encamped near Yorktown, Va. It is needless to mention the hardships the common soldiers must have undergone. Our heroine bore up with a good heart | until the day on which the troops arrived, when she was much indisposed. On the morning of the 23d of September, Washington addressed his army, and she was near and heard his impressive words. Miss Sampson was among the advance of that day, and labored with blistered hands in the redoubt and _ trenches before Yorktown. She aided in storming the British redoubt under Lafayette on the 13th of October, 1783, and witnessed with patriotic exultation the closing drama of the Revolution. Her personal purity of character was in keeping with her firmness and resolution were, perhaps, never known. She came to her aunt's, who lived in Stoughton, where she labored through the winter. It is presumed that her uncle Waters confidentially whispered in the ear of some young man that she would However that may be, Deborah Sampson married Benjamin Gannett, at his father's house, April 7,1784. There were born of this union one son and two daughters. By a resolve of the General Court of Massachusetts, Deborah received one hundred dollars and a monthly pension, as did her husband after her death, which occurred April 29,1827. Her husband died Jan. 9, 1837. Her | tombstone, in the quiet cemetery of Sharon, covers the remains of the bravest woman of the Revolution.

Gen. Benjamin Tupper. - Benjamin Tupper was born in Stoughton, now Sharon, on the 11th of. March, 1738. protection ; a father's love never warmed and gladdened his heart, as his father died soon after he was born. When a boy he learned the trade of a tanner in Dorchester. Afterward, he served in several cam- | paigns of the French and Indian war. Then he taught While here he became acquainted with Huldah White, whom he | married, Nov. 18, 1762.

He joined the army at Roxbury, as captain of a company, soon after the Lexington alarm, and soon He was ordered, with his men, to prevent the rebuilding of the light-house by the British in Boston Harbor.

there informed them that he was about to proceed down the harbor to drive the British troops off the island. ' Now," said the major, addressing his company, which consisted of about three hundred men, want to go with us, let him step two paces to the front ;' and turning to the sergeant he said, sotto voce, 'if any man steps two paces to the front, shoot him on the spot." It is needless to add that every man kept his position. The major, with his men, then proceeded from Dorchester, taking field-pieces with them in whale-boats down the Neponset River. They arrived at the light-house about two o'clock in the morning, attacked the guard, killing the officers and four privates. The remainder of the English troops were he succeeded in sinking one of the boats, and, happily, escaped with the loss of one man killed and one wounded. He killed and captured fifty-three of the enemy, among whom were ten Tories, who were sent to Springfield jail. Washington, the next day in general orders, thanked Maj. Tupper, and the officers and men under his command, for their gallantry and soldier-like behaviour. We have given this incident to show the bravery of the man, as there were many other such incidents that might be given. He was appointed colonel of a Massachusetts regiment in 1776, was at Valley Forge camp in the memorable winter of 1778, and wrote a letter to the General language the destitute condition of the troops. He had a horse shot under him at the battle of Monmouth. He served through the war, enjoying the confidence of Washington and Lafayette, and was promoted to the rank of general by brevet before the close of the war.

Gen. Tupper entered enthusiastically into the scheme of the settlement of the northwest territory. Being selected as one of the surveyors to lay out the ranges, he very early entered upon that work, but was prevented by the warlike disposition of the Indians. He, however, returned the next season, and the historic seven ranges were completed. Returning home again, at this time Shay's insurrection broke out, and he rendered valuable assistance. Then he assisted in the formation of the Ohio Company. His son, Maj. Anselm, was appointed a surveyor fur the company, and with the band of pioneers left Massachusetts

April 7, 1788. Gen. Tupper started, as soon as he could build suitable wagons, with his family, passed over the Alleghany Mountains in Pennsylvania, and then sending his horses by land, took a boat and arrived with the first families, Aug. 19, 1788, at Marietta, after a journey of ten weeks. Soon after he was

5 : 3 | appointed one of the judges of the court, which office he held until his death, which occurred during the Indian war. On his monument, in the Mound Cemetery, is the following simple epitaph :

Biographical Sketches George H. Mann

George H. Mann was born in Medfield, Mass., Sept. 16, 1793, and was the fourth child of Rufus Mann and Sybil (Allen), his wife, and was in the fourth generation from the Rev. Samuel Mann, the first of the name born in Massachusetts. Having a desire to learn mechanism, he was apprenticed to Otis and Oliver Allen, of Mansfield, to learn framing and building. After serving his time with them, he contracted with parties in Greenwich, Conn., to work at machine-making, that he might perfect himself for the business which he had laid out for himself, the manufacture of cotton goods, and went there in the | spring of 1814, and remained some two or three years. The first year of his service there those employed with him struck for higher wages and used every endeavor to have him join them, but he steadily refused. His employers finding him alone in the shop, asked him, ' How happens it you are not out with your | mates?' His reply was a characteristic one: 'I in- When the parties came to terms, his pay was made as good as the best. While here, at the call of the State authorities for volunteers to throw up intrenchments against the threatened invasion of the British, he joined the ranks, and with pick and shovel marched to the tune of " Yankee Doodle" to the service and helped man the works they constructed until the | threatened invasion was over. From Greenwich he cotton machinery, and was associated with John | Blackburn, Oliver Dean, Dean Walker, and others. | While residing there he became acquainted with | Rhoda Fisher, and they were married May 10, 1820. | From there he removed to Hast Walpole in 1822, and engaged in the manufacture of sheetings for the |

Neponset Manufacturing Company. There he re- | mained until the spring of 1826, when he removed | with his family to Amoskeag, N. H., where he put in operation what was known in later years as the old |

Amoskeag factory for the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company. Not being able to make satisfactory arrangements with this company, at the end of his year he returned to Massachusetts with his family in the chaise. His family consisted of his wife and two boys. The same year of his return he entered into copartnership with Joshua Stetson, Jr., of Walpole, and started a small factory for the making of bedticking. He was anxious to establish himself independently of others, and after about two years he dissolved his connection with Mr. Stetson and removed to Kast Walpole, having leased the factory there. His services were sought by Messrs. Amos & Abbot Lawrence to take charge of the Elliot Mills in Newton about this time, but he preferred to establish himself in business where he could carry out his own ideas. In the spring of 1831 he purchased a mill-site and privilege in Sharon of Joseph W. Revere, and moved there with his family. Here he erected a factory and commenced the making of ticking, of which he made a specialty. He won a high reputation on that class of goods, continuing in that business until March 10, 1840, when his factory was destroyed by fire. He session of 1838, and was president of the Harrison and Tyler Club during that lively and interesting He took an active interest in all things relating to the town in its intellectual and moral growth as well as its general prosperity. He was a man of quiet mien, but of positive convictions, and never hesitated to openly take a stand when occasion The last few years of his life he suffered from ill health and withdrew from active business, In the spring of 1847 he sought the benefit of a warmer climate, and in the

It is believed that all persons of the name of Hewins in this country are descended from Jacob Hewins, who was admitted a freeman and joined the His son Jacob, born in 1668, settled in Sharon, and was an important and His

Of Jacob Hewins nothing is yet known previous to his purchase of a house of Samuel Mason in Dorchester, 19th February, 1655-56. It has been supposed that he came from England, but when Mr. Amasa Hewins, the artist, was there in 1833, he made many inquiries, but could find'no trace or record of the name. In 1871, however, his son, Mr. Charles A. Hewins, of West Roxbury, found the family name, Hewins, in Stratford-upon-Avon. There were several families of the name in the immediate vicinity and at Birmingham. Mr. Thomas Hewins, of Stratfordupon-Avon, since dead, was an organ builder and the organist of the beautiful and famous church in Stratford where Shakespeare is buried.

In the late work of Mr. Halliwell Phillips, who has spent the last thirty years in searching with great diligence for every fact and record connected with

The eldest daughter, Agnes Arden, married, previous to 1556, her first husband, John Hewyns. proves tat the Hewins name has existed in the heart of England more than three centuries, and it appears probable that careful research might connect Jacob Hewins, the ancestor of the American branch, with a parent stock in Stratford.

Whiting Hewins

Whiting Hewins was descended in a direct line from Jacob Hewins, who about the middle of the seventeenth century came to New England and settled in Boston. He purchased about 1656, from Samuel Mason, a dwelling-house and three acres of land in Dorchester. This he made his homestead. He was, it appears, a man of much thrift and energy, coupled with business sagacity, as is evidenced by the fact that he added from time to time to his landed posses- | sions various lots and tracts of land, and became be- | fore his death one of the largest real-estate holders in | that section. Some of his acres are said to be still in possession of his descendants. He was held in much respect by the early colonists, as was shown by the named Mary. They had seven children, of whom Joseph, born in 1668, was sixth. It appears from records that he settled on the farm of one hundred and twenty-three acres assigned to his father in 1698, and located in that part of Dorchester, now North Sharon, near Pigeon Swamp. He was one of the leading spirits of his day. He was fence-viewer in Dorchester in 1715-16, tithingman in 1722-23, and selectman in 1724-25. The town was then divided and he thrown into Stoughton. At the first election for town officers in the new town he was chosen selectman and assessor, and re-elected in March following. In 1728-29 he was first selectman, town clerk, and assessor. In 1730-31 he was town clerk and treasurer, and in 1738 served for the last time as select- He repeatedly acted as moderator of townmeetings. He was deacon and ruling elder of the now Unitarian Church at Canton, and frequently served as moderator, ete. He was tall and erect of stature, and of dignified bearing. He married, 1690, Mehetabel Lyon, daughter of Peter Lyon, of Dorchester. They had seven children. He died in 1755; his wife in 1733. His son, Lieut. Ebenezer, was born in 1707, and was the youngest of his father's family. He settled in Stoughton, where he was constable in 1737, agent for the town in 1750, and selectman in 1751. He married Judith Porter, of Norton, 1730. They had ten children. He died in 1751, and Mrs. Hewins in 1755. Lieut. Enoch was the sixth child of Lieut. Ebenezer. He was distinguished for his patriotism ; he was the first man in his town to enlist in the Continental army ; he enlisted as a private soldier, but obtained the rank of lieutenant. He was sealer of weights and measures in the town of Sharon fora period of twenty years. He married, 1766, Sarah, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Bacon) Hewins. They had a family of thirteen children. He died in 1821, his wife in 1803, having resided all their lives in Sharon.

Wuitine HeEwtns, born Aug. 13, 1789, was the youngest of the thirteen children. He was broughtup on the farm in Sharon, and received such instruction as the common schools of his town afforded, and in addition the benefits of a short attendance at Framingham character calculated to endure the hardships and toil incident to a farm life in New England, he came to Boston when a young man and engaged as clerk in a store devoted to the sale of West India goods. He remained here a few years until he had thoroughly familiarized himself with the details of the business. He then, in company with other parties, embarked in trade for himself, continuing with this partner but a short time, however; when, in copartnership with

Warren Fisher, he opened a store in the same line of trade at South End, Boston. The young men were energetic, enterprising, and intelligent, and they suceeeded in their enterprise. Boston was growing, and, as is the case in all growing cities, the " trade centre" the nature of their traffic and began dealing exclusively and extensively in sperm oil. To facilitate matters they fitted out a number of vessels for the finery for making whale-oil at Edgartown, Dr. Daniel Fisher, a brother of Warren Fisher, having charge of this branch Messrs. Hewins & Fisher extended over a period of thirty years ; and with such prudence, enterprise, and foresight were their various undertakings conducted, that at the end of that long period it was their proud boast that they had never failed, had always paid all debts contracted, and owed no man a dollar. How very, very few of the great army of active business men can say the same! death, having accumulated a handsome competence for that time, Mr. Hewins retired from active business pursuits. He married, in 1817, Olive, daughter of Lemuel and Hannah (Belcher) Eastey, of Sharon. They had three children, - Olive Eastey, George Whiting, and Horace Holley. Of these, the two sons grew up to manhood, but died unmarried. The daughter, Olive E., married Isaac Hayden, a manufacturer and inventor. They reside in Boston.

Moses Richards

and served nine years. He married Susan Hunting, Sept. 10, 1638, and both he and his wife died in 1684. They had five children, two sons and three daughters. Nathaniel, the second son and fourth child, was born Nov. 25, 1648. He inherited his father's homestead in Dedham and a large share of his lands, which were extensive. He was a man of high standing in the community. He married, in 1678, Mary Aldis, by whom he had eight children, He died in 1726-27. Jeremiah, the second son and child, was born in 1681, married Hannah Fisher, settled in West Roxbury, He bore the He lived to be over seventy years and became a large landed proprietor. title of captain. of age, but no record is found of the exact date of his death. He had eight children, of whom William

_ was second, born in 1707. He married, 1733, Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Pike) Baker, of Roxbury, and settled on lands given him by his father at Pigeon Swamp, in north part of Sharon, about 1734. These lands are still in possession of the family, and the house in which he lived is now occupied by his great-grandchildren. These descendants have a number of heirlooms which have been handed down from this ancestor, among which are his spear, and his commission as an officer under King George II. This commission bears date Sept. 25, 1751, and is signed by Spencer Phips, Commander-in-Chief and Jieutenant-Governor of the He had six children, the youngest of whom was Ebenezer, who was born Feb. 27, 1744-45, and died July 6, 1811.

William died in 1797, in his ninetieth year. Ebenezer married, Oct. 6, 1769, Elizabeth Lyon, daughter of Benjamin and Ann (Dwight) Lyon, of Roxbury. He was by occupation a carpenter and farmer, and was a much respected citizen of Sharon.

He hada family of eight children, of whom the elder and was a great admirer and enthusiastic supporter | of New England's great statesman, Daniel Webster. | was Moses, whose portrait accompanies this sketch. Moses was born atthe old homestead in Sharon, July He was brought up on the farm, and his man of strong intellect, and physically was of splendid appearance, large, commanding, strong, very energetic and active. After he was eighty-four years old, he on one occasion hoed two thousand one hundred hills of corn and walked to Canton - two miles distant - and back in one day.

He married, Nov. 24, 1799, Esther Hodges, daughter of Benjamin Hodges. They had seven children, - Esther (1), born Sept. 19, 1800; married James Smith, of Stoughton ; died April 10, 1882; had

Z Sill

Feb. 18, 1840. Olive (7), born Aug. 5, 1818; she resides with her brother William at the old home, and has never married. She has always taken much interest in matters pertaining to the family history, and rendered very valuable assistance in the preparation of the very elaborate " History of Richards Family," which was published in 1861 by Rev. Abner Morse. Moses Richards was a Unitarian in religious faith, and in politics a Whig. man, and could never be prevailed upon to offer himself for office.

Probably no man in Sharon was more universally respected. He belonged to that class of sturdy, honest yeomanry in whom are deeply grounded the principles of honor, equal rights, and freedom, and in whose keeping the sacred trust of political and religious liberty confided by our fathers may safely rest. He preserved in a remarkable degree all his faculties

Warren Talbot

He was descended from two of New England's His father, Deacon Josiah Talbot, was born in Stoughton, Mass., and when a lad removed to Sharon, where, when he grew to months during the year, and working on the farm the remainder of the time. He chose farming as his life's work, and occupied the same spot whereon he was born. On Nov. 6, 1828, he married Esther A., daughter of Daniel and Nabby Hodges. four children, - Warren A., born Dee. 13, 1829; married Angenette Stone, and has two sons, and is now a floriculturist in Norwood, Mass. Edwin (1), born March 17, 1831, died Aug. 15, 1832. Edwin (2), born May, 1833. died in infancy. Mrs. Talbot died Aug. 6, 1842, aged thirty-four years.

daughter of Benjamin Holmes (see Warren Holmes' biography). Their children were Hannah Esther (died in infancy), Etta F. (now resides in Newburyport), and Sarah Emma (died in infancy).

Warren Talbot lived the quiet, retired life of a farmer, and while he never sought or obtained office, or took an active part in public affairs, yet he was not wanting in public spirit, and was as benevolent as his He was a very energetic and industrious man, one who attended strictly to his own He was affairs, and meddled with no other person's. conservative in his ideas, and was a Unitarian in religious belief. He lived far beyond the threescore and ten years allotted as the span of life, and was prepared and resigned when the hour and the summons came

Warren M. Holmes

Warren M. Holmes was born in Sharon, Mass., Nov. 12, 1810. He is the son of Benjamin and Sarah (Morse) Holmes, and grandson of Zebulon and Abigail (Sable) Holmes. This Zebulon was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and was a native of Stoughton, but came from there to Sharon in the early settlement of that town. His children were Zebulon, born June 26, 1758; Abigail, born Jan. 11, 1760; Olive, born July 10, 1763; Olive (2), born Jan. 17, 1766; Jesse, born May 18, 1768; Benjamin, born Sept. 7, 1770; Mary, born Dee. 25, LUZ:

Warren married Lydia Norris, Feb. 26,1866. She died without issue. He married, as his second wife, Mrs. Eliza Sears, Dec. 15, 1872. They have no children. Mr. Holmes has been surveyor of high- He is one of the quiet,

Luther Morse, Of Dedham, Roxbury, And

LUTHER MORSE, OF DEDHAM, ROXBURY, AND SHARON. The ancestry of Luther Morse is traced only in Massachusetts, and the first of the family in America was Samuel Morse, of Dedham, who was born in | England in 1585, came to New England in 1636, | and after about a year's residence at Watertown be- | came one of the company of original settlers of the | | |

Samuel Morse was a Puritan, and as such was required to get a permit from the government before he | could emigrate from England to America.

The sixth child of John was named Hara, which | name was borne by the eldest son successively in this | line until the seventh of the name, who died without issue.

The first Ezra, born 1643, died 1697, was but fourteen years old when his father died, but he possessed those conspicuous family traits, - good abilities, a strong will, great energy, and therefore self-reliance. | His patrimony, about fifty pounds, was doubtless carefully husbanded for him, as we find him on attaining his majority joining two others in the purchase of a mill at Dedham. interest within a year, but, with one partner, he was soon building another mill, and a dozen years later was largely extending his mill facilities in other parts of the town. A portion of this kind of his property continued in possession of his descendants for two hundred years or more.

He married Joanna Hoare, and, although we find | but eight children of this union recorded in the 'Memorial of the Morses," there is a tradition in the family that Joanna was but twelve years old when | married, that she gave birth to twenty-four children, and that eighteen of them attained majority.

The second Ezra, born Jan. 28, 1671, died Oct. 17, 1760, was a captain of militia, and for a period of | twenty-four years was deacon of the Second Church | in Dedham.

man. He received a commission as " Captain of the third foot company in Dedham in the first regiment of militia in the County of Suffolk, whereof Francis Brinley, Esqr., is Colonel." So reads the commission

- Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, &c." It bears that Governor's signature, and is dated March 3,1745. In the same year Capt. Morse and his wife, Anna, were received into the church at Dedham. He died in 1789, as stated above, at the ripe age of ninety-five years and eleven days. Although he had but five children, there had been two hundred and sixty-two descendants born to him, of whom two hundred and sixteen survived him.

The fourth Ezra, born March 26, 1718, died June 14, 1755. At twenty-two years of age he married Bethia Lewis. At his death he left a widow with four children, to which number a daughter was added a few weeks later.

_ land, was born at Dedham, Sept. 17, 1741, and probably passed his minority in that town. In 1764 he was married to Susanna Guild, and in the same year paid a poll-tax in Sharon. The next year he paid taxes in that town on real and personal property, but probably sold out that year and removed to Dedham, which was his home during the next nine years or In 1775 he was again at Sharon, where the records show that Ensign Morse was one of a committee appointed, Feb. 23, 1775, in Sharon, to raise minute-men. He was styled Maj. Ezra Morse on the Sharon tax-lists of 1781, and Col. Ezra Morse in 1787. In 1764, he married Susanna Guild, by whom close of which he commanded a regiment, and, on the disbanding of the army, was entitled to precedence in marching from the field. This honor he exacted with cocked pistol of another colonel, who attempted to supersede him. On his return he settled upon a farm in Sharon, but his military habits continued through life, and the support denied him by

The leading traits of the father's character were inherited by his sons, as also were the persevering industry and thrift which distinguished their mother. They were also endowed with strong constitutions and great power of endurance.

The family removed to Sharon probably in 1775, and there the home of the parents continued as long as Col. Morse lived. During all that time the farmwork was done by the sons, who also obtained other employment at times, thus securing an income from which they accumulated some money for future needs or enterprises.

remained until 1836, except that during the war of 1812, when Boston was menaced by British warships, the children and their mother were at Sharon

On the 1st day of February, 1798, he was married to Mary, daughter of Zebulon and Abigail Holmes, of Sharon. The next day his brother Amos was married, and the two couples went, together, to Granby, Mass., where Amos had previously bought a farm.

of the farm, and the brothers carried it on for a time. © In April, 1801, we find he is a resident of Ludlow, | and in November of that year he bought a farm, a | trading, and bought and sold both farms and outlying lots. But he did not neglect the cultivation of his lands, for he always seemed to have a surplus of various crops to sell, and rarely bought such things as could be raised on his farm.

Dec. 8, 1803, Luther Morse married Miss Eliza- She had been his housekeeper several months, and taken care of the children also. ding contract is well worth recording, viz., a solemn compact was made that if either became disturbed or incensed by the other, that other was to abstain from

One fact about this wedall retort or any other manifestation of irritated feeling; and it isa still more interesting fact that, during their long lives, no altercation between them was ever known to acquaintance, friend, or child, and yet both were persons of very strong feelings and

Their father, as before stated, died in 1807, and by his will left each of his elder children twenty dollars in money, but the rest of his estate, including his farm and whatever other property he left, was bequeathed to his youngest child, Harford, for the maintenance of his widow during the remainder of her life.

Harford was then about nineteen years old, and, being the youngest of the family, had been reared He had not been put to work on the farm to an extent that qualimore tenderly than the elder children.