Somerset Town (part 1 of 2)

Wavy Rn Town Of Fallriver

Copeland C. D..Woed Turning. Serall Sawing and Mouliinme Factory. All Kinds of Scroll Sawing aud Wool Turning done with neatness and despateh by experienced workmen. No 6! Pleasant street ets lawten 1. Bh. .Carpenter and Builder, Res 16 Taylor st Miller SH. Supt Wood Work at "Statlord Mill," Res & Seoomd st Marble (. C. .Comtractor and Builder, 3 Winter st, Res Frankiin st. Plans furnished for Buildings *, Carpenter at "American Print Works," Machen A..Carpenter at "American Prist Works," Perce -- Carpenter, 142 North Main «t Pinnan rpenter, cor Bank and (heetnnt sts Southworth S..Carpenter and Builder, 50 Coart Square Sewanl Chas. Carpenter and Beilder, rear 12 Locust st Srpan W. E. Carpenter at "American Print Work«" Sweith EB. §..Carpenter, 34 Linden st Snamens A. H..Carpenter, and Sarveyor of Lumber, Rex Hanover st Venu loarn E. Carpenter at "Metacomet Mill". Wileox A. J..Carpenter at "Pall River Manufry,"Annawan st Woodman Rk. P..Corpenter cor Pine and High sts Young B. T..Oarpenter aml Builder, North Main st Custom House. cor. Anawan and Water Street Brady Capt. James, Jr..Colleetar of Customs Borden lsaac..Deputy Ovlleetor of Custams Conl and Lumber Dealers Borden, Couk & To..Wholesale and Retail Dealers in Lamber of every description, 82 Davol «t Pe Taown, 1D. Sen & Co. Wholesale Dealers in Flour, Grain and Coal, Foot of Central «t Chart B.. Deer in Lomber, Steers Rreok Cook V_ & Co..Coal and Lumber Deajers, Central «t Cook W. M..Lamber Dealer, Res 14 Preepect 7 Gee. F..eoeiver af Flour and Whndemde Lea- Jer in Piour, Grain Groceries Qual. Baled Hay, we. Foot of Central « Shove. Clark & Co..Wholemie and Eetail Deakts in * Coal, Baled Hay, Lime, Cement, Brick, Plaster, Hair, &e. 4 Davol st ots Carriage Manufacturers Mummies A. .Carrieges of aD kinds made to order Eea with meatness and dixpatch. No 14 8. rear of the Marke: Chee Henry..Manefr and Dealer in Carriages and Wagons 4 every dewsiption. Painting and Kepuinag dome. Junction of Fourth end Hartweil Bictonond A.(..Manufr anid Dealer in Carriages. Harnnem, Robes, Hlanket«, fee, Warren st Robinwn J. H. Manufr of ari Iwater in all kinds of eacnen wether ot Tartans Esa and Dealer in Wagons and Carriages, 21 Seventh 1. Ale. Thurston & Sanford, movers and raisers of Buillines

Carroll & Batler..Genl Dealers in Groweries and Provisions, Beef, Pork, Ham, Feys, Ponltry, and all kinds of Vegetables in their season, 57 Central st

Conroy D..Gen) Emigration and Foren Exchange Office. Agt for California Steamers and Australian Packets, Also Dealer in Groceries, Provisions, West India Goods, &, 20 Union st

Murphy Bros..Gen! Dealers in Groceries and Provisions, Reef, Pork, Hams, Regs, and all other kinds of Vegetables in their season, cor Eighth and Bedfort sts

Hearn Robert..Dealer in Groceries and Provisions, Beef, Ham, Pork, Lani, Fes, and all kinds of Vegetables in their season, 6 & 38 Columbia st

Sullivan P. R.. Dealer in Choice Family Groceries, Pork, Lani, Hams, Beef, Poultry, Butter, Cheese, Ezgs, and Dried Fruit, and all kinds of Vegetables in their season, M Union st

Wade & Pettey. .Deslers in Flour, Corn Meal, Butter, Lani, Pork, Beef, Hams, Sugar, Coffee, Tea, Spieos, and all kinds of Grfberies and Provisions. 70 Second st arior, Otfice and Cooking Stoves, Lead Pipe, Sinks, &e. Also Tin Ware. Repairing done at short notice, 35 North Main st, Res Prospect st Insurance Barnanl L. L..Gen) Agt "Conn. Mutual Life Insurance Co.," Kes 133 North Main st Pres ~ Fall River Manufrs Mutnal Insurance Co." Res cor South and Ridge st Easton & Milne. .Geul Insurance Agts. 6 N Main st Greene W.S..Lnsnrance Agt, 12 & 14 Pleasant st Howland T. D..Fire, Life, and Accident Insurance. Also Agt for "Mutual Life Insurance," New York. Offiee, Section A, Granite Block, Remington J. A..Genl Insurance Agt, Section A, Granite Block Slade J. P.. Life, Fire. and Marine Inserance Agt, Section G, Granite Block, also Commission Merchant Jewelers Gifford C. E..Dealer in Fine American and Swiss Watehes, Clocks, Jewelery, Silver Ware, Diamond Spectacles and Fancy Goods. Sole Agt for Finkle & Lyon's Sewing Machines, 1 South Main st Lithographers Dubois H. W. & Co.. Designers, Engravers and Lithographic Printers. Particular attention given to the Art of Printing Chromos, 6 Market square Linen Manufacturers

Gillon! & Houghton... Machinists, und Manufrs of Stationary, Porteble and Hoisting Enyines, and Reed Machinery ; Steam, Gasand Water Piping, Steam Pumps, Stein Gauges and Eogineers' Supplies, Reeds of every description. 63 Pleasant st

"Hawes Machine Co". Manufys of Steam Engines, Patent Upright Drills, Lathes, Planers, and General Machinery. Partioulur attention given to Jobbing aml Smith Work. Water st

Ritbura, Lincoln & Oo..Manufrs of Turbine Water Wheels, Shafting, Cotton Looms, Heavy Castings aud Machinery generally, cor Annawan and Canal

Sts Kendrick J, & J. H..Manufr of all kinds of Weavers' Reeds and Harness, and Dealers in Manufrs' Articles, Pocasset, near Main sts Marvel, Davol & Co..Puilders of all kinds of Cotton Machinery, Cards, Railway Heads, Drawing Frames, Looms, Spoolers, and Warpers. Also, Sharp & Roberts' Self-Acting Mules, with Davol's Patent Cam Shaft, Notion Office, Pond st MeCowan D. & Co..Manufrs of Twine at " Metacomet Mills." Also Bleaching and Dyeing at Assonet Wetherell D. & O, B..Manutrs of Top Roll Covers. 65 Pleasant st Wood J. S..Manutr of Cop. Tubes, 20 Main st, up stairs Winward J..Manutr of Chemical and other Soaps, Glue Substitute, and Ground Bone for Agricultural purposes, Winward ave Machinists Austin W. D.. Machinist at Marvel, Davol & Co's Shep Bocock J. A,.Machinist at Marvel, Davol & Co's Shop Bense Wm.. Machinist at Marvel, Davol & Co's Shop Creighton W.. Machi at Marvel, Davol & Co's Shop Davis R. B.. Machinist, "Mount Hope Mill" Durtve B..Eugineer, "Mount Hope Mill" Jennings A. Xe chine Sho: Mackenzie C..Engineer at Eddy & Sons' Mill Marvel W.. Machinist, Res 9 Danforth st Negus S.. Machinist at "Fall River Iron Works" Thorpe Wm..Machinist at "Metacomet Mill" Whiteley Wm..Machinist at "Tecumseh Mill"

Anthony E. 8..Dealer in Drags, Medicines, Chemicals, Toilet and Fancy Articles, Brushes, Soaps, Perfumery, Patent Medicines, Alcohol, Pure Wines and Liquors for Medicinal purposes. Physicians' ee carefully compounded at all hours. 15 North Main st

Wolfendale Wm..Steam and Gas Pipe Fitter, Dealer in Steam and Gas Pipe Fittings, Steam Pumps, Globe Valves, Sheet Rubber und Rubber Packing, é«&c, No 36 Second st

Gay E. F.."Gallery of Art," cor of Main and Pleasant sts, every description of Photographs executed in first-class style in Ink, Oil or Water Colors. Frames of all kinds on hand or made to order. Stereoscopes, best quality, &e st Borden "S Pings User "i : Borden T.. artwell si Bonlen B, H,. Res cor Spring and Mulberry sts Bennett C, A. .Clerk at "American Print Works" Covel A. 8..Res 122 North Main st Durfee G, B.. Res 88 Rock st Dring C. P..Res cor Division and Hunter sts Horton D,.Supt of Streets, res 95 South Main st Lindsey C, E.. Res Squth st, cor ae Osborn Weaver... Res cor Osborn & Broadway Payne J..Res 126 Second st Searle C. P., Chairman of Board of Assessors, res Llen ay Skinner H. A..Res 47 Durfee st Westgate A, L..Res 56 Second st

Adums Robert.. Dealer in Books, Stationery, Pictures and Photograph Albums, Artists' Materials, Draughting Instruments, also Colors and all Materials for Manufacturing Wax Work, No 28 South Main st

Barl B, & Son, . Booksellers, Stationers and Blank Book Manutrs, Proptrs of Earl's Circulating Library, No 7 Granite Block, res No 12 June st

Brennan M. W..Clothier, and Genl Agt for the Cunard and Inman Line of Steamers. Drafts on England and Treland always on hand, Cor Third and Rodman sts

Kay & Francis. . Bottling Establishment; a constant supply of Philadelphia Porter, Ale, Cider and Fvench Mineral Water, also Robert Smith's Philu Ale, Scotch Ale and London Porter. Sodi Foun-

--Overscer of Spinning at "Wamsutta SE SUS -Draughtsman and Surveyor at "Granite Sabins 8. B..Book-keeper nt "Union Mills" Sargent J. G..Wool Sorter at "Eddy & Son's Mill" Thurston V..Proptr of: Dining Sited, 7 and 9 Centre st Terry J. ©..Ship 'Builder, Spar Maker and ty of Marine Railway and Dry Dock, Paints and Oils paleotle on hand, Tinker Spike, fron Work and Acam,

Nolivis Sawivael

. sa Mason H.. Farmer, East Freetown | PITT ts BD Nichols Dr. Thos,'G..Manufr of Fire Arms, Assonet, WA. Sisson wo 0" N Main st ws | Peirce Col E. W...Farmer, Assonet ae i Pierce A. W..Furmer and Manufr of Shingles, Freetown f "oY j Richmond 8. P..Farmer and Western Grain Dealer, | ~ ~ Freetown E | ; Sproat H. H.. Physician, Assonet, S Main st | p OF tg TPOR i Thorpe John.. Bleaching and Dyeing : - | - " Wilson J. D.. Farmer, also Propr of Saw and Grist Mill' at } Yh} Assonet TOWN OF WESTPORT Washburn R..Dealer in Dry Goods, Groceries, Flour,

Source changes here: from History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Pioneers and Prominent Men, by Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Ed, published 1883; 14,311 words in this source stream.

George H. Talbot

George H. Talbot was born March 17, 1846, in Dighton, Bristol Co., Mass. He is tbe son of Joseph and Mary L. (Pratt) Talbot, of that town. His mother was a daughter of Lemuel and Alma Pratt, and was born Oct. 21, 1S11. His father, Joseph Talbot, was the son of Joseph and Anna Talbot, and was born Oct. 5, 1809. He was a farmer. It is impossible to trace with certainty the ancestral history of this particular branch of the Talbot family, as there have been no records kept. The name is one that has figured largely, however, in the affairs of both this country and Europe, and some of the early settlers of New England bore that cognomen.

George H. was one of a family of six. In addition to the common schools of Dighton had the advantage of an attendance of two or three sessions at a kind of select school in Somerset. He had the misfortune to lose both his parents early in life. He was only twelve years of age at the time of his father's death, and three years later his mother died. The elder brother, however, hired a housekeeper, took charge of the family, and thus kept them together until the several members were of an age capable of taking care of themselves. When George H. was fifteen years old he obtained employment in the Dighton Tack-Works, where he remained a few months, when he hired to work on a farm. After a year spent in this occupation he engaged with the Dighton Woolen Company, where he learned wool-sorting. He remained with this company (except an interval of about four months) until their works were destroyed by fire some three years later. During the interval above mentioned he went to West Buxton, Me., and took charge of a wool-sorting establishment. After the Dighton works were destroyed he spent a few months in the same line of business in Stillwater and Providence, R. I.

In the autumn of 1867 he came to Norton, and took charge of the sorting for Williams & Co., who at that time were doing a small business in that line at what was known as Willis' Mills. About a year later they leased the property where Mr. Talbot's mill is now located, and which was then known as Centre Mills. In 1869, Williams & Co. sold out to Daniel S. Pratt & Co., of Boston, Mr. Talbot here purchasing his first interest in the concern, - a one-ninth share. He had entire charge of the mills, however, from June, 1868.

In January, 1S70, Pratt & Co. dissolved partner- i ship, Mr. Talbot purchasing one-third interest in the business, and Mr. Story - Pratt's former partner - the other two-thirds. In February, 1872, they purchased the grounds on which the mills are located, together with all improvements thereon. Their business had been continually increasing from the first, and about 1874 they built a large addition to their works and greatly increased their facilities. About seven years later, owing to failing health, Mr. Story disposed of his two-thirds interest in the business, and Mr. Talbot being the purchaser, became sole owner and proprietor of the entire concern. In 1880 he added another three-story building to his already large works, and by putting in new machinery greatly augmenting their capacity for rapid and effective work. The business is exclusively wool-washing and job-work. Their capacity for cleansing is now one hundred thousand pounds per week. Mr. Talbot employs about forty men, and does work chiefly for Boston and New York markets. Considerable work is done, however, for various mills throughout New England. He is one of the live, progessive, enterprising men of the day, and is a specimen of a type of which Massachusetts is justly proud, - her self-made men. He married, Nov. 18, 1874, Delia M., daughter of George W. and Delia M. Storer, of Norton. They have three children, - Walter Howard, born August 15, 1875 ; Francis Story, born March 2, 1878 ; and Alfred Pratt, born Oct. 15, 1882. Mrs. Talbot was born May 28, 1849.

Chapter Li Somerset

Geographical - Shawomat Purchase, 1680 - The First Meeting of Purchasers - List of First Purchasers - Early Schools - Schoolmasters - Incorporation of Somerset - The First Town-Meeting - Officers Elected - The First Representative to the General Court - Valuation and Tax- List for 1833 - Present Valuation - Somerset in 184S - Representatives - Ecclesiastical History - Society of Friends - The First Baptist Church - Methodist Episcopal Church - Methodist Episcopal Church, South Somerset - The First Christian Church - The First Congregational Church - Roman Catholic Church - Military History.

Somerset is one of the western tier of towns, and is bounded as follows : On the north by Swansea and Dighton, on the east and south by Taunton River, which separates it from Berkley, Freetown, and Fall River, and on the west by Swansea. Mount Hope bay also touches it upon the south.

The territory embraced within the bounds of the present town of Somerset was originally known as the " Shawomat lands," and upon the incorporation of Swansea became a portion of that town.

The original record-book of the " Shawomat Lands" is still extant, and upon its first page bears the following inscription : " This Book was Begun in ye yeare, 1680, By Increase Robinson, Clark for The Said purchasers."

At this meeting it was " voted, as their joint agreement, that the said lands shall be divided into thirty and one shares, whereof one of the said shares shall be laid out in a convenient place for a minister, and to be perpetually for the use of the ministry."

" It is likewise agreed that the lands lying in Taunton river from the said neck to Taunton bounds be laid out into thirty one shares, each share extending in length from the sd river till it crosses to the high way which is to be left between these lands and the two miles which belong to Swansey." A committee of three men were chosen to call a meeting of the proprietors, viz. : Capt. John Williams, Isaac Little, and Thomas Linkcon.

The First Purchasers of Shawomat Lands. - In the language of Samuel Sprague, " clerk" for the purchasers, " Heare foloth ye names of ye purchars of Shawomat Neck," viz.: Richard Dwelby, Isaac Buck, Daniel Damon, Nathaniel Winslow, Samuel Prince, W. Briggs, Jr., C. Briggs, Jonathan Aldin, Capt. John Williams, Isaac Little, Edward Grey, M. Halloway, John Briggs, Richard Winslow, Thomas Linkcom, John Swift, Capt. Fuller, John McNuckley, Jonathan Jackson, Richard Pronby, Ephraim Littelle, Samuel Littelle, John Mendall, William Hatch, William Poaks, Joseph Wod, Daniel Wod (Wood?), Cornelius Briggs, Increase Robinson, Thomas Peirce, John James, Governor Winslow, and Capt. Benjamin Church."

The first meeting of the proprietors was held at Plymouth, but after the division of the land and the purchase began to be settled the business was transacted here at meetings held at the house of William Slade, who seems to have been a prominent man in the early settlement of the town. Among other early names at Shawomat at about this period we find Sylvanus Soule, William Chase, Nathaniel Winslow, Samuel Shearman, Joshua Eddy, William Anthony, John Eddy, Thomas Hemes, John Winston, Joseph Chase, William Chase, Jr., Jonathan Slade, and others.

Early Schools. - The attention of the proprietors was early given to the advancement of the educational as well as the religious interests of the purchase, for in March, 1735, we find that "Win. Hart, schoolmaster, was paid for boards, nails, and workmanship to repair the house on the fourscore acre lots."

" Received of the Purchasers and Proprietors full satisfaction for my Salary for about fifteen years Last past as a Schoolmaster for Shewammock purchase only remaining due to me the sum of fifty one pounds Sixteen shillings and eight pence old Tenor to Dec. 27 last.

In 1746 a " warrant was lawfully called to know the minds of the meeting whether a small addition to the school-house where the master lives is not needful, as many in the Purchase cannot send their great children when the school comes to their turn, and could have an opportunity of having them taught in the evenings if the school-house were convenient, which at present is not." This warrant was signed by John Peirce and Job Chase. It was subsequently voted " to build an addition with a chimney to the house." It was also voted to have a " small cellar under the same," and Mr. Hart was engaged for another year.

In 1751, William Hart was still the " pedagogue" of the " Purchase," for at a meeting held that year it was " put to Vote whether William Hart the School-master Should have one Hundred fifteen pounds old tenor for ye year ensuing. Voted in the ?iiggetive," Job Chase, moderator. In 1769 a new school-house had superseded the pioneer structure with a " small cellar," for in that year the purchasers' meeting was held in the " New School-House near to Cap. Robert Gibbs."

Incorporation of Somerset. - The town of Somerset was set off from Swansea and incorporated as a separate town Feb. 20, 1790. The following is a copy of the act of incorporation :

"An Act for incorporating that Part of the Town of Sivanzry known by the name of Shewamet, in the County of Bristol, into a Sejyarate Town by the Name of Somerset.

" Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, That the lands hereafter described and bounded as follows, viz.: Northerly, partly on Dighton and partly on the ancient Swanzey line; Easterly, on Taunton Great River, so-called ; Southerly, on Lee's River, so-called; Westerly, Partly on Lee's Uiver and partly on the ancient line of Swanzey, including all the lands formerly known Shewamet Purchase, however otherwise the same may be bounded, with all the inhabitants thereon, be and hereby are incorporated into a Town by the name of Somerset, and the said town is hereby invested with all the powers, privileges, and immunities to which towns iu this Commonwealth are or may be entitled agreeable to the Constitution and Laws of this Commonwealth.

" And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that the inhabitants of the said Town of Somerset shall pay all the arrears of taxes which have been assessed upon them, together with their proportion of all Debts now due from the Said Town of Swanzey, and so in proportion shall receive all dues and town stock whatsoever from the said town of Swanzey, and that all persons who were born on the said Shawamet Purchase who may hereafter become chargeable for support and have not gained a legal settlement iu any other town shall be the proper poor and charge of the said town of Somerset, and that in the apportionment of all charges between said Towns, together with the poor now at the charge of Swanzey, the same shall be divided according to their proportion in the present valuation ; and be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that the inhabitants of the town of Somerset shall forever hereafter support and keep in good repair their proportionable part of a bridge known by the name of Miles' Bridge iu the proportion that the town of Swanzey and the town of Somerset now pay on the present valuation.

"And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that Samuel Toby, Esq., be and he hereby is Empowered to issue his warrant Directed to some principal inhabitant requiring him to warn and give notice to the inhabitants of the said town of Somerset to assemble and meet at some suitable place in the said town, to choose all such town officers as towns are required to choose at their annual town-meetings in the months of March or April annually."

In accordance with the above act, Samuel Toby, justice of the peace, notified Preserved Peirce and other inhabitants to meet and elect town officers.

The First Town-Meeting was held " at the schoolhouse near Capt. Robert Gibbs," Dec. 15, 1790, when the following officers were chosen : Moderator, Jerathmel Bowers ; Town Clerk, Jonathan Bowers ; Selectmen, Assessors, and Overseers of the Poor, Daniel Wilbur, David Luther, and Theophilus Shove ; Treas- urer, Preserved Peirce; Constables, Jonathan and Aaron Baker ; Fence Viewers, Capt. Job Slead and Allen Chase; Field Drivers, Philip Bowers and Daniel Chase, Jr. ; Hog Reaves, Peleg and Nathan Chase ; Surveyor of Timber and Plank, Thomas Marbel ; Cutter of Staves, Ezra Chase.

At the meeting, Jerathmel Bowers, Preserved Peirce, and Daniel Wilbur were chosen a committee to settle all accounts between the towns of Swansey and Somerset.

A humane spirit was early evidenced by the many votes which the early records show providing for the poor. One " Black Kate" was the subject of various votes. In 1796 two shillings were voted for a " Cooler for black cate," "six shillings for two shifts for Black Kate," "two shillings for a Pair of stockings for Black Cate," etc.

In 1801 the town voted $6.29 for the expenses attending the burial of Edward Brayton's negro man. One of the items was " for oxen to Draw the Corps to the grave, .40."

Valuation and Tax-List, 1833. - The following is a list of assessment upon the real and personal estates of the persons herein named, each one his proportion of the sum of one thousand and three dollars and twenty-four cents. Eber Chase, Preserved Read, Gideon Chace, assessors of Somerset. Somerset, July 1, 1833.

Barber, in his " Historical Collections," published in 1848, says, " Somerset is pleasantly situated on the western side of Taunton River, opposite the town of Fall River. Previous to its incorporation, in 1790, it formed a part of Swansea, and was called the Shawamet Purchase. Taunton River, to this place, is navigable for vessels of considerable burden. This place is thirteen miles from Taunton, sixteen from Providence, and forty-five from Boston. Population, 1063. In five years preceding 1837 there were twelve vessels built; tonnage, six hundred and nineysix. This town has about twelve hundred tons of shipping, and seven potteries, where stone and earthenware are manufactured. There are four churches, - two Baptists, one Friend, and one Methodist."

For about ten years, beginning with 1849, Somerset was the scene of considerable activity in shipbuilding. The ship-yard was located on the present site of the Mount Hope Iron- Works. Several government vessels of large size were built here, the yard being under the supervision of James M. Hood.

Society of Friends. - At a Quarterly Meeting held in Rhode Island the 13th day of 8th month, 1732, Samuel Aldrich, one of the Friends appointed to inspect into the capacity and circumstance of Friends having a Monthly Meeting settled at Swansea (now Somerset), made report that he hath been among the Friends there, and find them very unanimous therein, and is of the belief that it may be of service. This meeting therefore agree that a Monthly Meeting be settled at Swansea, to be held on the first Second-day of the week in each month, and that those Friends who dwell on the northward of Tiverton, and are belonging to this Quarterly Meeting, shall be under the care of said Monthly Meeting in Swansea.

And in confirmation to the Quarterly Meeting order and settlement as aforesaid Friends have met. At our Monthly Meeting held in Swansea (now Somerset), the 6th day of 9th month, 1732, and also settled our Preparative Meeting on the fifth day before the Monthly Meeting, and also appoint John Earle clerk.

At our Monthly Meeting held ift Swansea the 4th of 10th month, 1732, representatives are Oliver Earle and John Earle, present, and settled a monthly collection, and appoint Oliver Earle treasureman to receive the collection as aforesaid, and the meeting collected to Oliver Earle £3 Is. 9d.

The present officers in the church of Somerset Meeting of the Society of Friends are as follows : Obadiah Chace, minister; Joseph Estes, Eunice Estes, Sarah Slade, Darius Buffinton, Esther Chace, Charles A. Chace, elders ; Darius Buffinton, Benjamin A. Chace, Maria Earle, Rachel P. Chace, overseers ; Albert R. Macomber, clerk of the Preparative Meeting held in Somerset ; Darius Buffinton, treasurer.

First Baptist Church.1 - In the year 1796, Nathaniel Lyons came to reside in Somerset. He was a poor mechanic, but a consistent Christian and a firm believer in the doctrines of the Bible as taught by Baptists. Finding no church of that faith in Somerset, he held meetings in his own house, where he read and expounded the Scriptures and conversed and prayed with all who came. He also invited, from time to time, the neighboring ministers to his home to preach, as there was no Baptist Church within six miles. These meetings resulted in good, and were soon held in a school-house, and when no preacher could be had they were sustained by laymen. Thus gradual progress was made until it was found that some twenty believers were ready to unite in forming a Baptist Church. Before this, however, Mr. Lyons, who started the enterprise, had removed to Warren, R. I. The church was organized Nov. 8, 1803, at which time there was no other religious organization in town except the Friends. A house of worship was commenced at once and finished during 1804. Mr. Asa Pierce was the first church clerk, and Mr. William Barton the first deacon. In the deed conveying to them the lot upon which the house of worship was built their purpose was clearly defined, as follows: "To be holden by Asa Pierce, William Barton, and Francis Bourne, and their successors forever, in trust, for the use of the First Baptist Church of Somerset, holding and believing in the doctrine of baptism by immersion only, agreeable to the principles of the churches composing the Warren Association, for a meeting-house lot." The house was dedicated Nov. 8, 1804. For some three years the church was without a pastor, yet fifteen were added to their number, and they were gradually increasing in strength and efficiency. They united with the Warren Association in 1804, and continued with them until 1815, when they withdrew, but were again received in 1821, remaining until they withdrew to unite with the Taunton Baptist Association just forming in 1836. With this Association they still remain in loving bonds.

In 1806 the church appointed Mr. William Barton, Jr. (the deacon), their preacher. For some six months he thus served them, when he was regularly ordained as pastor. He continued his services as pastor nearly three years. On March 4, 1809, he was dismissed to unite with the First Baptist Church in Swansea. During his pastorate fourteen were added to the church, seven were dismissed, and three excluded.

In June of the same year Mr. Bela Jacobs was ordained as pastor. Mr. Jacobs was another of the constituent members of the church. He had preached more or less for a year. He remained as pastor about two years, baptizing four and losing one by death. For some five years the church was now destitute of a pastor, yet their meetings were continued with more or less regularity, while but little encouragement was seen. During this time three were added to the church, and ten were excluded, dismissed, and died. It was a time of trial. Difficulties arose, and all their efforts to remove them were without avail. In the early part of 1816, Rev. Win. Barton, their former pastor, came to town, and by the earnest wish of the church began again regular pastoral work among them. With his return prosperity again smiled upon them, and during his first year he was permitted to baptize twenty-six. He remained with them a little more than two years, and thechanges were : Added by baptism, forty ; excluded, dismissed, and died, nine. The church now enters upon another period of discouragement and darkness, and for some five years only ten were added to the church, while twenty-two were excluded, dismissed, and died.

In 1823 they appointed Mr. Elisha Slade, still another constituent member, as preacher. He continued to preach for seven years, when he was regularly ordained as pastor, which relation he sustained for thirteen years. Mr. Slade's whole ministry, therefore, covers a period of twenty years, - years of joy and of sorrow, of hope and of fear, of prosperity and of adversity. At one time there were but four resident male members and about thirty females. But again the breezes of heaven came upon them and they were encouraged and strengthened. There were five precious revivals during this score of years. The changes in the church were : Baptized, sixty-three ; added by letter, fifteen ; dismissed, twenty-five ; excluded, twenty-four, and twenty-three died. It was during Mr. Slade's pastorate that Mr. Nathan Davis was chosen deacon. He was ordained to this service in 1838, and is still holding his office.

On the 1st of November, 1843, Rev. Benjamin C. Grafton accepted a call from the church, and entered at once upon his labors. For nearly three years he served the church, during which eight were added and eleven were dismissed, excluded, and died. In 1846 he resigned, and was followed by Rev. E. K. Fuller, who commenced his pastorate September 10th of the same year. Mr. Fuller continued as pastor for about two and one-half years, during which twenty-two were added by baptism and letters, and three were dismissed and excluded.

On March 25, 1849, Rev. Charles Randall commenced regular work as pastor, and thus served the church for three years. Although there were but few changes during his pastorate, yet he is spoken of as a faithful pastor, and his memory is cherished with interest by those who heard him. In August, 1852, Rev. J. C. Merrill having accepted a call from the church entered upon his work. His ministry proved a blessing, and was continued for nearly two years, during which there were thirty-five additions, and seven were excluded and died. For a little more than two years the church was pastorless, and though preaching was provided for most of the time, the church lost rather than gained.

On Sept. 9, 1856, Rev. Samuel J. Carr entered upon the work of pastor, and for four years remained true and faithful at his post. His was a pastorate of both pruning and fruit-bearing. Sixteen were added to the church, and sixteen were dismissed, excluded, and died. It was during this pastorate that Mr. H. E. Marble was chosen deacon. He entered upon his services in 1857, and still continues.

Rev. George Daland was the successor of Mr. Carr. During his pastorate of two years three were added by letter and two died. He closed his labors in 1863, and was followed by Revi T. C. Tingley. Mr. Tingley served as pastor more than five years, receiving into the church by baptism and letter twenty-seven, and twenty-three were dismissed, excluded, and died.

In 1869, Rev. L. L. Fittz entered upon pastoral work. During his ministry tbe church was much blessed. Assisted by his father, the Rev. H. Fittz, extra meetings were held, and a precious revival was enjoyed, bringing in many new and important helpers into the church. Fifty-two were added by baptism and letter, while but ten were dismissed and died. His pastorate continued four and one-half years, and there was a net increase of forty-two members.

Mr. Fittz was succeeded by Rev. T. M. Butler in 1874. His was a peaceful pastorate of two years, during which four were added and four died. In about two months from the time of Mr. Butler's leaving, a call was extended to Rev. Gideon Cole, who accepted, and entered upon his regular services Dec. 1, 1876. He is now in his seventh year of labor, and general peace and harmony prevail. The changes during his pastorate thus far are : Baptized, twenty two ; received by letter, seven ; by experience, two ; total gain, thirty-one; dismissed, ten ; excluded, two; and died, twelve; total loss, twenty-four ; leaving a net gain of seven.

The church has worshiped in three different houses. The first place of worship was a school-house that is now occupied as a private dwelling, the second was the present house, but for some thirteen years it was vacated, while they built and worshiped in a smaller house on Main Street. This house was built during the pastorate of Rev. E. Slade, and he was the main agent in doing it. It was dedicated June 30, 1830. In 1844, during the pastorate of Rev. B. C. Grafton, the former house was refitted, and again occupied for their church home. The house built on Main Street is now used for a dwelling. Three times has the present house been dedicated, - in 1804, when first completed, in 1844, when they began anew their worship, after thoroughly renovating it, and in 1855, when again refitted under the ministry of Rev. S. J. Carr. It has also been somewhat extensively repaired and improved under the pastorates of Revs. L. L. Fittz and Gideon Cole.

The church now numbers one hundred and four. It has a good house of worship and a fine parsonage, all in thorough repair and free from debt.

The present officers of the church are : Gideon Cole, pastor; Nathan Davis, Henry E. Marble, deacons ; F. A. Shurtleff, M.D., clerk ; Deacon N. Davis, treasurer.

[Note. - Much of the material for the above history is taken from a history of the church as published in the minutes of the Taunton Baptist Association, and from a history prepared by Dr. F. A. Shurtleff, and read at its seventy-seventh anniversary. - Gideon Cole. J

The Methodist Episcopal Church1 in South Somerset, known historically and legally as the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Somerset, is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, church of this denomination in the county of Bristol. As early as the year 1800, Rev. Joseph Snelling, then stationed on the Warren Circuit, was invited by Mr. John Wilbour, then a citizen of the south part of the town of Somerset, to preach in his house. This invitation was accepted gladly and with characteristic promptitude. For several years prior to this the pioneer itinerants had occasionally passed through the adjoining towns of Swansea and Rehoboth on their evangelistic tours, and it is also probable that this section of Somerset had also been prospected by them in search of an opening for a preaching appointment. Mr. Wilbour had heard Mr. Snelling in Warren, R. I., and had become deeply interested in the preacher and in his message, and desirous that his neighbors also should enjoy the privilege, he opened his doors for this purpose. Thenceforward, until the erection of a house of worship, Mr. Wilbour's house continued to be the preaching-place of the circuit preachers. Soon a class, consisting of seven persons, most of whom resided in Swansea, was organized by Mr. Snelling. It is not certainly known who these persons were, but there are good reasons for believing that James Sherman (afterwards Capt. James Sherman), Nathaniel Lewin, Diana Lewin, Sarah Lewiu, Jemima Lewin, and Gardner and Israel Anthony composed this first class, the germ of the future church. Thus Somerset was included in the elastic boundaries of the Warren Circuit. James Sherman, mentioned above, was a man of mark. Inquisitive, intelligent, familiar with the theological questions then most controverted, possessed of considerable dialectic skill, well versed in the Scriptures, fluent in speech, zealous in spirit, he became a local preacher of considerable note, and was especially successful in defending the new " sect, everywhere spoken against," from the assaults of its fury, and often turned their batteries against themselves. Having never married, he became an inmate of the Sailors' Snug Harbor, Staten Island, and died, at an advanced age, in 1862.

In 1802 the church was favorably organized, and other additions were soon made to the little band. Among the most notable of these was Mr. John Brayton, the grandsireof the family of Braytons who have since become such prominent actors in the social, business, and professional life of the neighboring city of Fall River. Mr. Brayton at once became one of the most influential and useful of the members of this little flock, thoroughly identifying himself with all its interests. His means and his liberality enabled him to contribute freely for its support, and his hospitality disposed him to keep open house for the generous entertainment of the weary itinerants, who were always sure of a hearty welcome and of needed rest beneath his hospitable roof.

In 1804, it having become apparent that a house of worship was not only a necessity for the welfare of the church, but that its erection was practicable, this important enterprise was entered upon. Many friends had been raised up who, though not members of the church, were deeply interested in its prosperity. Among these were Dr. John Winslow, of Swansea, and Capt. William Read, who had retired from the sea and devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. At the northwestern extreme of his farm was a beautiful lot of land, on the summit of the ridge overlooking Mount Hope Bay, the Taunton River, and the magnificent landscape which spread out in every direction, which he generously donated as the site of the contemplated church. Here was erected a substantial structure in the style common in those days. The house was nearly square, with a spacious projecting vestibule in two stories, the upper story conducting to the galleries, which were very deep, and occupying the two sides and front of the audience-room. The pulpit, lofty and circular, with the chancel or altar, occupied the centre of the rear end of the church. The pews were straight-backed, high, and not constructed for the comfort of drowsy worshipers. This undertaking was successfully pushed forward to completion, and before the year ended the church was dedicated by Rev. Alexander McLane, the circuit preacher.

For forty-five years this noble monument of Christian liberality and zeal stood, one of the most prominent features in the splendid landscape, the gathering-place of the devout not only of the immediate neighborhood, but, on Quarterly Meeting and other special occasions, from the widely-extended circuit to enjoy their spiritual feasts. Here some of the notable pioneers of the denomination, men of national repute, such as Bishop Asbury, Freeborn Garretson, and others, preached the word of life to the multitudes who thronged to hear them.

Somerset was for many years one of the prominent societies of the ever-varying circuit, sometimes more, sometimes less extended, to which two or three preachers were usually appointed. The membership of the church was subject, from various causes, to considerable fluctuations, one hundred and sixty-one being at one time reported, but shrinking in another report to fifty-seven. S'ome extensive revivals took place, which added largely to the numbers and strength of the society. At a later date this church was recognized as a charge, with a minister stationed as its pastor, which has continued to be the case, with occasional changes, to the present time.

In 1841 the Methodist Episcopal Church in Somerset village was organized, since which time South Somerset has been the name by which the old has been distinguished from the new church.

In 1849, under the pastorate of Rev. E. B. Hinckley, the old church edifice, which had so admirably served the purposes of the fathers, was torn down, and the present modern and tasteful structure was erected upon the same site, the dedicatory sermon being preached by Rev. Daniel Wise, D.D., then stationed in Fall River.

In 1861 the lot of land directly east of the church lot and adjoining it was purchased, and a pleasant and commodious parsonage was erected under the supervision of Rev. Joseph Baker, the pastor, at a cost of about sixteen hundred dollars. This great improvement has rendered this a desirable rural home for pastors not aspiring to heavy city charges, but who prefer the quiet, the simplicity, and the natural charms of suburban life, joined with the pastoral work required by an intelligent and appreciative agricultural though not very numerous flock.

In 1870, Rev. E. L. Hyde being pastor, the church building was subjected to various alterations and improvements, involving an expense of about one thousand dollars. It was reopened with appropriate services, Revs. E. F. Clark, of Providence, E. J. Haynes, of Fall River, and V. A. Cooper, of Providence, preaching sermons suited to the occasion. The next day, Thursday, at about half-past two P.M., during a brief but sharp thunder-storm, the house was struck with lightning, which shattered the steeple and the plastering, parted the links of the chain which held up the stovepipe, and in other ways inflicted serious injury to the building. The repairs rendered necessary by this calamity subjected the society to a heavy and depressing expense. But the spirit of their pastor and the practical sympathy of sister churches encouraged them, so that they speedily placed their beautiful church home in as good condition as before.

The following is the list of pastors who have served this church in the order, of their appointment, embracing those who were appointed to the circuit as well as those who have served it as a station, viz. : 1800, Joseph Snelling; 1801, John Finnegan and D. Fidler ; 1802, Reuben Hubbard, D. Morris, A. Cobb ; 1803-4, Alexander McLane; 1805-6, J. Snelling; 1807, Joshua Crowell ; 1808-9, Levi Walker ; 1810, John Lindsay; 1811, Thomas Asbury; 1812-13, Artemas Stebbins ; 1814, Edward Hyde, W. Marsh; 1815, Benjamin R. Hoyt, I. Walker; 1816, Richard Emery; 1817, Nathan Paine; 1818, Isaac Jamison; 1819, Isaac Banny ; 1820-21, T. W. Tucker; 1822-23, Benjamin Hazleton ; 1824, Ebenezer Blake ; 1825, Herman Perry; 1826, C. Virgin, N. B. Spaulding; 1827-28, D. Culver; 1829, N. S. Spaulding, Robert

Methodist Episcopal Church.1 - The first regular Methodist services in Somerset were held in a sailloft on Burgess' wharf in 1841 by Bryan Morse, a local preacher traveling under the presiding elder, Rev. Bartholomew Otheman. Mr. Morse held a protracted meeting, in which he was assisted by Rev. George M. Carpenter, of South Somerset, and Johu Livesey, local preacher, from Fall River. The result of this meeting was an extensive revival. The organization of the. church soon followed, and in 1842 a church edifice was erected and dedicated by Rev. David Patten, D.D.

The first Conference appointee was Rev. Levi Daggett, who was followed, in 1844, by Rev. E. W. Stickney. Then followed the appointment of Israel Washburn, local preacher, in 1845, Rev. John W. Case in 1846, and Father Nathanial Paine in 1847-48, whose labors were quite successful. At the close of his pastorate he left a membership of forty names.

In 1851, Rev. Carlos Banning was appointed to the charge, but failing to appear, his place was supplied by Father Filmore and Samuel Jackson, under whose zealous efforts the membership was considerably increased.

From 1852 to 1859 the following appointees served the church with varied success : Revs. E. H. Hatfield, William H. Richards, John Livesey (local preacher), Franklin Gavitt, James McReading, and Edward A. Lyon. The administration of Mr. Lyon was successful and generally acceptable, and the Sunday-school reached the highest number on record, but a ruling minority objected to his reappointment, and the new Conference year brought to the front Rev. C. M. Alvord, much to the gratification of some and the annoyance of others. The consequence was a disruption and the withdrawal of twenty-one members with their families, who formed the Congregational Church in the village, leaving the Methodists with a congregation of twenty-eight members, which, however, at the close of the year numbered seventy-five, with a considerable increase of church membership.

The last of these five years the church was suffering under great depression, but under the labors of Rev. H. H. Smith, who was appointed to the charge in 1870-71, she fully recovered herself.

In 1872-73, Rev. O. H. Fernald received the appointment, by whose energetic efforts the church edifice was rebuilt, and at the close of his work the church numbered eighty-four members.

Mr. Shurtleff remained but a short time, and was succeeded by several preachers, each remaining only a few years. Among the number were Revs. Mr. Briant, B. F. Summerhell, and John N. Haley. In 1870, Rev. C. A. Tiliinghast was called, and remained pastor nine years, during which time the church was prosperous. He was called to Broad Street Christian Church, Providence, R. I. In 1879 he was succeeded by Z. A. Past, who remained two years, when he accepted a professorship in the Suffolk Collegiate Institute in Virginia. He was followed by Rev. R. Osman Allen, the present pastor. There has been in the forty-two years an aggregate membership of two hundred and thirty, which has been depleted by deaths and removals, until now the actual membership is one hundred.

First Congregational Church.2 - Most of those who at first formed the Congregational Church in this village had been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

For a long time the Conference authorities had appointed or removed the pastor in entire disregard of, and sometimes in direct opposition to, the wish and vote of the majority of the church. The fact, well understood, was that the action of the Conference was controlled and directed by one or two men, - members of the church (Methodist Episcopal) located in Somerset. To such an extent had this manipulation been carried that 'many of the people felt it was time for decisive action in opposition to what was termed " one-man power." Accordingly, a remonstrance was sent to the Conference. The Con- ference paid no regard to it. The parties aggrieved felt that there was no redress to be expected from the authorities of the church. After much thought, discussion, and prayer the act of withdrawal was decided on. This was in the year 1860. Those withdrawing were now homeless as to a place of worship. No definite plan as to the future had been determined upon, either as to the form of church government to be adopted or house of worship. If I have been correctly informed, a second Methodist Church was the thought in a few minds at least. The motive in withdrawing was not dislike of the church in which those separating from her had been nurtured, but the right to a vote and voice in the church that would count something in the management of church affairs.

The spirit of those who withdrew may be inferred from the following statement, which I copy from the records: "Although the seceders constituted a large majority of the church and the society, and although they had made large investment in pews, they withdrew, leaving all" with that part of the church and society which remained.

They first hired a hall named Central Hall, and fitted it up as a place of worship. They then attempted to secure a Methodist preacher on their own responsibility. They soon learned that no man connected with the Conference could be induced to accept their invitation.

They therefore began to look in another direction. A minister of the Congregational order was invited to the care of this body of believers and others interested in the new enterprise. He accepted the trust, and for something over a year ministered to this people, who were all this time without church organization. In the early summer of 1861 the decision was reached to form a church of the Congregational order. It will be seen that there was nothing hasty in the movement. It was one of very serious import not only to the parties immediately concerned, but to the community at large and to the church universal. Time to think, to deliberate, to pray was needed, and it was taken, and a decision reached.

The writer of this article was informed that a goodly number of those who at first withdrew went back to the Methodist Church when it was decided to form a Congregational Church. Possibly they had a dread of Calvinism ; possibly they thought that a house of worship must be erected, and that that would cost money ; at all events they took their departure, reducing the number about to form themselves into the new church.

The body of believers worshiping in Central Hall having determined to organize a church, and having decided what denominational name to assume, issued letters missive to neighboring churches of that name. In response to the letters missive there convened at Central Hall, July 3, 1861, the following-named churches in the person of pastors and delegates : Churches in Taunton, Berkley, Dighton, Assonet,

Raynham, Rehoboth, and Fall River. I believe all the churches invited responded. A council was formed by the choice of Rev. E. Maltby, of Taunton, for moderator, and Rev. S. T. Fay, of Fall River, scribe. The council having examined all the papers presented, having listened to the statements of different parties, and having carefully examined the church's probable future, decided unanimously in favor of the new movement, "and voted to proceed in the afternoon with the usual public services of recognition and organization." Twenty-two persons presented themselves, and were formed into and approved as "The First Congregational Church, Somerset."

The church and society (for there was a society acting conjointly with the church in the support of the gospel) continued to worship in Central Hall till 1865. In the mean time preliminary steps were being taken towards the erection of a church edifice. When the pressure of work and of giving began to be felt there were some who lost their enthusiasm.

Thus occurred a second reduction of the number on which must devolve the care of the new enterprise. Such is human experience. There are people in the world who are ready and willing any time to sit by your fire, to read by your light, and to e*at at your table if you furnish all the money, take all the care, and do all the necessary labor. They come, not to minister, but to be ministered unto.

In March, 1865, a neat and comfortable church edifice was completed and dedicated. Seasons of adversity and seasons of prosperity have fallen to the lot of this church and society since that time. The people at times adopted a custom which proved detrimental to them as a church and society, a custom not uncommon. I refer to it here because I wish to put on permanent record my earnest protest against it. I refer to the plan of having pulpit supplies sent from Sabbath to Sabbath for six months, a year, or two years, no pastor on the ground. The man who is sent may have been virtually out of the ministry for ten or twenty years, may be in some other calling; he comes Saturday night in the last train, and goes away Monday morning in the first, and knows as much about the wants of the people as men generally know of what they know nothing. If the sermons are not heavy with age, the paper on which they are written has a color that is suggestive of antiquity, not to speak of fossils.

Churches sometimes follow this plan with the idea that it is economy to do so. It is, in fact, just the opposite of economy. The effect generally is to weaken the power of the church in her divine work, to loosen her hold on the community, and to empty her coffers. When a pastor is called, provided the church survives the torturing ordeal, he has double work to do. Years are often required to offset the evil thus unintentionally brought upon the church of Christ. Another difficulty that must be encountered in the building of a new church enterprise in a manufacturing village is the ceaseless coming and going of different families. Sometimes it is an actual gain to have certain families go, if they would only stay away. In the case of other families a severe and heavy loss is suffered when they go. I speak of these matters because the Congregational Church of Somerset has had large experience in them. Her history would not be complete without a reference to them.

The number enrolled as members now on the church records is fifty-four. The two causes contributing most largely to the slow growth of the church, as it seems to me, have been alluded to, viz., the fluctuating population and the Sabbath supply. Perhaps a third should be added, - the many extremely (I had almost said unpardonably) short pastorates ; some of them indeed do not deserve the name of pastorate.

The first preacher, Rev. Charles D. Lathrop, supplied the pulpit for a year and a very small portion of a year. He was followed by Rev. Mr. Butt, of Fall River, who supplied a short time, so short that no record was made of the time.

From January, 1862, to June, 1864, Rev. N. Richardson was pastor. He was succeeded by Rev. N. H. Besson, who served the church and society till April, 1865. In the same month of that year Rev. Nelson Clark began his labors in the gospel ministry among this people. He remained with them five years and three months. His work did much to strengthen and increase the church. The years of his ministry were years of prosperity. When the people permitted him to go away, they did a very unwise thing. His labors closed with this church in July, 1871. He was followed by Rev. L. S. Coan, who remained one year only. Mr. Coan was succeeded by Rev. E. J. Geddings, who remained just as long as his predecessor. In February, 1875, Rev. W. N. T. Dean was installed as pastor of this church. His stay was short, for in July, 1876, he was dismissed, having served the church not quite a year and a half. Rev. John Dodge supplied the pulpit for three months. Rev. - - Farnum, of Boston, supplied the pulpit for a time (I know not how long), coming Saturday and going Monday.

The present pastor, Rev. J. C. Halliday, began work here in June, 1877. He has held the office of pastor of this church nearly six years. Those years have been years of gradual growth, numerically, financially, and I may say spiritually. The growth has not been spasmodic, nor has it been remarkable at all, but steady. The transfer of the nail-works from East Taunton to Somerset has added a goodly number of worthy members to the congregation, and given us some good workers for the Master. But aside from that, we can tell of growth in church and society.

The Congregational Church of Somerset has struggled hard with a great many untoward circumstances, and has overcome them. She was organized with a fixed purpose, to continue to be. With God's help, and kindness shown her by other churches and societies and individuals, she has continued until this day, witnessing to small and great the power of divine grace, and seeking to say none other things than Moses and the prophets did say should come. We rejoice in a prosperous Sabbath-school, the happy, healthful, helpful child of the church. Home and foreign missions receive attention. The cause of temperance is not forgotten in our church work. The order of services, which gives most general satisfaction in our community, is, Sabbath-school in the A.M., beginning at half-past ten ; preaching at half-past two in p.m.,- and conference meeting in the evening. The prospects of this church as a power for Christ were never better than they are to-day. There is harmony in her counsels and unity in her movements. No note of discord for the past six years has reached the ears of the pastor. It is pleasant to sing, - but it is pleasanter to feel the power of the truth embodied, to feel it in the relation of the people to each other, and in the relation of people and pastor.

St. Patrick's Church1 was built eight years ago by Rev. William H. Brie, of Fall River, at a cost of about eight thousand dollars. It is a frame building, eighty-five by forty-three feet, with slate roof. The first resident pastor was Rev. E. E. Nobert, who has officiated to the present time. The church has a membership of about six hundred.

Post-Office. - Previous to 1825, Mr. Isaac Pierce had charge of the mail for Somerset, which was left at Swansea village. In 1825, Elisha Slade was appointed postmaster, and held the office until 1853, when John A. Sayler succeeded him, who filled the office until December, 1860, when the present incumbent, Mr. N. S. Davis, was appointed.

In consequence of the loss of records by fire in 1875 the exact date when the post-office was first established cannot be given ; but for some time after Mr. Slade was appointed the mail was carried on a baggage-wagon, which made about weekly trips between Bristol, R. I., and Boston ; the pouch was then left at Nathaniel Mason's, nearly two miles from the present office, and the postmaster had to go or send some one there after it. The office now receives and sends five mails daily.

The Somerset Co-Operative Foundry Company was organized Oct. 10, 1867 ; officers elected Oct. 29, 1867, as follows: President, William M. Bartlett; Treasurer, William P. Marble; Clerk, E. A. Davis; Foreman, R. C. Woodward ; Directors, R. C. Woodward, T. A. Marble, H. D. Spinner, E. A. Davis, John O. Babbitt, C. A. Davis, J. H. Luther, W. P. Hood, G. AV. Nye, and William P. Marble. Capital stock, $15,000 ; capital stock now, $30,000, with sinking fund of $25,000. First year's business, $25,000,

Somerset

This company has been very successful, and has steadily increased its volume of business ; is well established, and has the reputation of producing the finest goods in the country. Par value shares, one hundred dollars; has sold as high as one hundred and forty dollars per share ; has paid an average dividend of seven and a half per cent., and accumulated a sinking fund, as stated before. All goods manufactured are made from patterns made and designed under their own supervision.

" In glancing westward from Fall River across the Taunton River people get a glimpse of the southern portion of the town of Somerset, which portion at this time is entirely devoted to agricultural pursuits, as, in fact, the whole town was mostly until within forty years. This town was originally a portion of the town of Swansea, and is what was known formerly as the ' Showamut Purchase.' It lies along the river mentioned, and forms its west bank for about eight miles, and is very narrow, the town being in one place only about a half a mile from the river to its western boundary, and in no part of it much more than a mile and a half wide. At one time the principal business done in the town was at the village of ' Egypt,' so called, where quite an amount of ship-building was carried on, and it is within the memory of the oldest inhabitants when ' Egypt' was the important point of the town. But those days have gone, and the people who were most active in the business have, alas ! passed away, and now all that remains is a small cluster of houses, with nothing to remind the passerby that any activity ever existed there. About half a mile north of ' Egypt' is the village of Pottersville, so called from the fact of there being located there a pottery for the purpose of making earthen- and stoneware.

"This industry was begun many years ago by the Chase family, and formerly a very extensive business was done there, but those who started the pottery enterprise have long since died, and finally the business has dwindled down to a small amount, comparatively speaking, of what it used to be, and the company becoming seriously embarrassed, it was sold, a little more than a year ago, to a new company, composed principally of persons from Fall River, who with an increased capital will, it is hoped, make a success of the enterprise in the future.

In 1882 the business was sold to a new company, composed of some of the strongest men financially in this section of the country. The stock was reduced to fifteen thousand dollars, and immediately increased to thirty thousand dollars. Under the management of the officers of the new corporation a very large increase in orders was made, and with the old facilities they were troubled for a time to meet the demand for their goods. It was again voted to double the capital stock, making it sixty thousand dollars. Mr. Field, the agent and general manager, then began in a systematic manner to increase their facilities, and at the same time hold the fast-increasing trade. A person now visiting the pottery will find numerous new buildings for the old kilns, and for the new kilns which have taken the place of the old ones. The place that was once noted for its rusty and worn-out appearance is now fresh and new. In fact, a complete regeneration of the place has been made. The point upon which the company base their success is in their economy in manufacture. One thing we should not forget to mention, and that is the special fire-bricks, cupola, and stove-linings manufactured with proper mixture of granite clay, of which they are the sole agents. Although they are but commencing the manufacture of these articles, large orders have been received and filled, which give in all cases perfect satisfaction. The success of the new company is already assured.

" At the north part of the town is located Somerset village, or what was formerly called Bowers' Shore, a quiet rural village of about fifteen hundred inhabitants, and which is now about all there is of Somerset as regards inhabitants and enterprise. Previous to the year 1850 there was not much business done here, except the catching of oysters in the spring and autumn of the year, and even then the business had not assumed the proportions that it has now attained. During the oyster seasons scores of men and boys are employed in catching and assorting the bivalves for shipment to other places for ' plant,' a large portion of which go by vessels to Providence, where they are bedded for a certain length of time, when they are again fished up and are then served up as the famous ' Providence River oysters.' The amount shipped during the two seasons of the year mentioned will aggregate thousands of bushels, and it is said that Somerset sends out the best ' plants' that are to be had, although the oysters that are allowed to grow to their full size in their native waters are not considered fit for use, the most of them having a coppery taste, which is entirely removed by lying in other waters for a season.

" About the year 1850, or a little before, Mr. James Hood began the business of ship-building at Somerset village, and conducted it quite successfully until 1854, when a large vessel which he had on the stocks nearly completed was entirely destroyed by a supposed incendiary fire, which caused great excitement

" In the year 1853 a new industry was commenced in this village through the liberality of Mr. J. Q. Pierce, who gave a tract of land lying on the river, and so situated as to be available as a wharf-privilege. A company was formed for the manufacture of shipanchors and other large forgings. This company was organized as the Somerset Iron-Works Company, with William S. Sampson as agent and treasurer, who, after erecting buildings, etc., necessary to carry on the business and running for a short time, failed to conduct the business profitably, and in two years after commencing closed entirely. This was a sad blow to the industries of the place and to many of its I inhabitants financially, as the capital which was put into the business was mostly furnished by Somerset | residents, who not only lost all they put in, but those who had other property were obliged to furnish money to pay the debts of the concern. From the time of closing of the works to 1855 nothing was done with them, and they lay as a monument to the capital that had been sunk in their erection.

" In the year 1855 the late Albert Field, of Taunton, in connection with his son-in-law, Mr. J. M. Leonard, bought the property, and fitted it up for a rolling-mill and nail-factory, and they were incorporated under the name of the Mount Hope Iron Company. This company, notwithstanding the large outlay of money and the extreme depression of 1857, passed through it successfully under the guidance and direction of its manager, Mr. Leonard, and did a successful business until the fall of 1866, when the rolling-mill and nail-factory connected therewith were entirely destroyed by fire, leaving only the building tributary to the business standing. But the company, nothing daunted at their great loss, which was not fully insured, began immediately the erection of a larger and more improved mill upon the site of the former buildings, and in about one year from the time the old mill was destroyed the new one was running successfully, and continued operations until 1871, when it was sold to persons belonging to and buying in the interest of the Parker Mills, of Wareham, Mass., a large and prosperous concern. They continued to run it, with Mr. O. A. Washburn, Jr., of Providence, as agent and treasurer, for about eight years. The extreme depression of the iron business in 1875 and later forced them to give up to the inevitable, and in the spring of 1878 they ceased operations entirely, and remained quiescent until the fall of 1881, when it was sold to the Old Colony Iron Company, of Taunton, who have and are still running it successfully.

" At the time of the disposal of their works by the Mount Hope Iron Company, it was the purpose of | Mr. J. M. Leonard, who had been its manager from their starting, to retire from business and enjoy his ' ease, he having acquired a competency by his years of industry; but having been actively engaged in business for so long a time, that after a short period ease grew to be so monotonous that he began the erection of another mill on some property a short distance from the old one, which was not disposed of at the sale of the first mill. Mr. Leonard having been engaged so long in the business was enabled to build the new mill on a much improved plan, and in about three years he started his new mill for the purpose»of not only making nails, but also a very superior quality of tack and shovel-plate. Mr. Leonard still acts as treasurer of the concern, and he is ably assisted by his son, Mr. H. B. Leonard, who is the agent of the company. The two mills employ about five hundred men, and have a capacity of about four thousand casks of nails per week, besides a large quantity ot plate, which is used for the purpose of making tacks and small nails, and also for shovels and spades.

" Another industry was begun in this place about 1854, known as the Boston Stove Foundry, for the manufacture of stoves and hollow-ware. This was not a success financially at the commencement, and was run at a loss to the owners until about the year 1867, when a company was formed called the Somerset Co-operative Foundry Company. This was composed mostly of workmen, who at once began operations, and although it was a severe struggle at first, yet by perseverance and energy it has grown to be a large concern, and now gives 'employment to about fifty men, most of whom are stockholders, and manage the business among themselves.

This company was organized and its first officers chosen as follows: President, Wm. M. Bartlett; treasurer, Wm. B. Marble; Clerk, E. A. Davis ; foreman, R. C. Woodward ; Directors, H. D. Skinner, George W. Nye, J. C. Babbitt, I. A. Marble, and Wm. P. Hood. The capital stock was fifteen thousand dollars. The first year's business amounted to twentyfive thousand dollars. The capital stock was afterwards increased to thirty thousand dollars, which, with the accumulated, makes a working capital at present of about fifty-five thousand dollars. Last year's sales amounted to seventy-five thousand dollars, being limited only by the capacity for production. The company has not been able during the past four years to fill its orders, and its business is constantly increasing. It has the reputation of producing the best goods in the market. All goods manufactured by the company are made from patterns designed and constructed under its supervision. The present officers of the company are : President, Wm. P. Marble; Treasurer, E. A. Davis; foreman, Geo. H. Sherman ; Directors, James Cundall, C. Fuller, J. Woodward, E. P. Hathaway, David B. Hood, J. L. Shurtleff, and George L. Davis.

" Previous to the extension of the Old Colony Railroad by the way of Taunton, Somerset was completely isolated from the outside world by rail communicac tion, and all her productions had either to be shipped by water or else carted to Fall River or Taunton for shipment by rail. But with the completion of the railroad through to Boston, it now enjoys complete rail connections.

"In addition to the industries already mentioned is another which should not be ignored, and that is the landing of coal and other products for shipment by rail to various points. This business has grown until the quantity now landed amounts to hundreds of thousands of tons yearly, and gives employment to many men. With all the industries running there is disbursed about twenty thousand dollars monthly, so that any one may readily see that this place occupies no mean position with the outside world, and with her water and rail accommodations is destined in the future to grow to be a very populous and busy community."

Biographical Sketches Jonathan Slade

Jonathan Slade, son of William and Phebe (Law-. ton) Slade, was born in the town of Somerset, Mass., Sept. 23, 1815. His father was a son of Jonathan and Mary (Chace) Slade, and was born in Somerset (then Swansea) in July, 1780. (See biography of William L. and John P. Slade.) He married Phebe Lawton, and had seven children, viz., Abigail L., Lydia A., Amanda, Jonathan, William L., David, and Mary, all born in Somerset on the ancestral farm now in the possession of the subject of this sketch. William was a farmer by occupation, and in connection therewith owned and operated the ferry known as Slade's Ferry until the bridge was built in January, 1876. This ferry has been in the family since 1680, - more than two hundred years, - and has been handed down from father to son during that long period.

The Slades are of Welsh origin, being descended from Edward and William, his son, who were both born in Wales, and came to Rhode Island prior to 1659, at which date the records Show that William was admitted a freeman of the colony. Jonathan was a son of Edward, of the third generation, the one who inherited the ferry from his uncle, Capt. Jonathan Slade, and was grandfather of our subject. He had seven children, of whom William Slade was one. (See sketch of William L. Slade.)

Jonathan Slade, the immediate subject of this notice, received a common school education, and in addition thereto spent a few months at the Friends' Academy in Providence, R. I. He was reared a farmer, and has always followed that honorable calling. His father died Sept. 7, 1852, and his mother March 18, 1874, aged nearly ninety-three years. They were members of the Society of Friends, as had been their parents before them.

Mr. Slade owned and managed the Slade Ferry after the death of his father, until it was superseded by the erection of the bridge in 1876. He owns an interest in several mills in Fall River, and is one of the directors of the Slade Mills, of which his brother, William L. Slade, is president, also one of the directors of the Davol Mills, and of the Metacomet Bank of Fall River.

In politics he is a Republican. He has been selectman of his town, and has held various other local offices, and served as a member of county and other conventions. In 1849 and 1850 he was a member of the State Legislature, and served his constituents with acceptance and honor.

He has been twice married, - first, to Caroline B., daughter of Dr. John Winslow, of Swansea, in July, 1841, by whom he has one son, William W., a farmer, residing in Swansea. She died Feb. 1, 1845, aged thirty-three years. Second, to Emaline Hooper, daughter of Salmon and Rebecca Hooper, of Walpole, N. H., May 29, 1851. She was born in Walpole, N. H., Feb. 23, 1820. Of this union there is one son, David F. Slade, born Nov. 5, 1855. He graduated from Brown University in the class of 1880, and from the Boston Law School in June, 1883.

William L. Slade

The first ancestor of the Slade family in America was Edward, who was born in Wales, Great Britain. Little is known of him except that he lost his life on a voyage between this country and England.

He had a son William, born also in Wales, who settled first on the island of Rhode Island, where he was admitted a freeman in 1659, and in 1680 he removed to Slade's Ferry, in Swansea, now Somerset, Bristol Co., Mass. He was a large land-owner in that vicinity, and portions of his original estate are now owned by his descendants, Jonathan and William L. Slade. William Slade, the ancestor, was the first white man to own and keep the ferry known as Slade's Ferry, which tradition says had been previously run by the Indians. He married Sarah, daughter of Rev. Obadiah Holmes, of Rehoboth, and had ten children, three sons and seven daughters. William Slade died in 1729; his wife Sarah died several years later, and at the time of her death had five hundred and thirtyfive descendants.

The sons of William and Sarah (Holmes) Slade were Jonathan, Edward, and William. The descent of William L. Slade is through Edward, the second son of William ; then Samuel, son of Edward ; then Jonathan, son of Samuel ; then William, son of Jonathan ; then William L.

Edward, the ancestor of our subject in the third generation, was a member of the Society of Friends ; he was twice married, but his first wife was the mother of all his children, and she was a Chace.

Samuel Slade was a native of Somerset. He married Mercy Buffum, of Salem, Mass., and had nine sons, of whom the eldest was Jonathan, born about 1743. Samuel received the ferry and homestead by bequest of his uncle, Capt. Jonathan Slade, who died without issue, and besides conducting the ferry carried on farming and blacksmithing.

Jonathan Slade married Mary Chase, and had nine children, whose names are as follows : Jonathan, William, Nathan, Mercy, Mary, Patience, Lydia, Annie, and Phebe. He died in 1811, aged sixty-eight. His wife Mary died.

William, son of Jonathan Slade, was born in July, 1780; he married Phebe, daughter of William Lawton, and had seven children, viz. : Abigail L., Lydia A., Amanda, Jonathan, William, David, and Mary, all born in Somerset.

River, and also of the Watuppa Manufacturing Company. He was a highly-esteemed and influential man, and held several offices of trust in his town. In 1826 he began to run a horse-boat on the ferry, and in 1846 put on a steamboat.

William Lawton Slade, the immediate subject of this notice, was born Sept. 6, 1817, on the farm in Somerset. Here he was brought up, working as a farmer and ferryman, and received his education at the Friends' school in Providence. In 1871 he purchased the ferry property on the East Side, which he still owns. He is the owner of several fine farms, and has followed mainly the pursuit of an agriculturist.

In 1860 he was elected a director in the Fall River National Bank. He is the originator of the Slade Mills, of which company he is president; also a director in the Stafford Mills, and president and director in the Montaup Mills, besides owning stock in various other manufacturing interests.

In his political principles he is a Republican, and although not an office-seeker he has several times been elected to discharge important public duties. For many years he has served his town as selectman ; was a representative to the Legislature in 1859, a member of the Senate in 1863, and again elected to the House in 1874. While in the House the first term he served on the Committee on Agriculture ; also served on the same committee in the Senate, and in the House the second time he served on the Committee on Public Charitable Institutions, and was one of the committee of arrangements for the burial of Hon. Charles Sumner. In the settlement of estates Mr. Slade has had considerable experience, and he is at present a commissioner for dividing estates.

He married Mary Sherman, daughter of Asa and Elizabeth (Mitchell) Sherman, Oct. 5, 1842. She was born in Portsmouth, R. L, Sept. 16, 1815. They have had five children, viz. : Caroline E., married Hezekiah A. Brayton, and lives in Fall River; Abigail L. (deceased), married James T. Milne, of Fall River; Mary (deceased), married Velona W. Haughwout, and left three children ; Sarah, died at two years of age, and Anna, in infancy.

Daniel Wilbur

Daniel Wilbur is a lineal descendant in the seventh generation from Samuel Wildbore, of Boston, the name being differently spelled as Wildbore, Wilbore, Wilbour, Wilbor, Wilber, Wilbar, and Wilbur, the latter being now the most common orthography. The original American ancestor is believed to have settled in Boston in 1633, as the records of the First Church contain the following entry: "Samuel Wildbore, with his wife Ann, was admitted to this church Dec. 1, 1633."

William Wilbor (supposed third), son of Samuel, of Boston, settled in Portsmouth, R. I., on lands of his father. It is uncertain whom he married, hut of his nine children, Daniel, born in Portsmouth, R. I., in 1(366, was the first settler of the name in Somerset, on lands purchased by his father in 1680. He was then fourteen years of age, and inherited the property upon his father's death in 1710. His wife's name was Mary Barney. They had several children, among whom was DanieP, born March 31, 1697. He was a prominent man, and held various town offices. He married Ann Mason, and had two children, - Daniel and Elizabeth. His death occurred in June, 1759. Daniel5 was born in Somerset, April 26, 17-49. He married Mary Barnaby, of Freetown, and had children, viz.: Daniel, James, Ambrose, Elizabeth, Barnaby, Mary, William, Hanan, and Anna. All except Ambrose and Anna, who died in infancy, lived to be aged. DanieP died March 2, 1821. His wife died Dec. 21, 1826, aged eighty-four. Daniel6 was born Jan. 28, 1773, and died Feb. 24, 1844. He married Sarah, daughter of Zephaniah Sherman, of Somerset. She was born January, 1779, and died Feb. 11, 1860. They had children as follows: Ambrose B., Elizabeth (Mrs. Oliver Mason, of Bristol, R. Li, Daniel, Jr. (died at eight years of age), Mary B. (residing with her brother Daniel), Daniel7, and Sarah (deceased), all born in Somerset, Mass.

Daniel Wilbur, son of Daniel and Sarah (Sherman) Wilbur, was born Nov. 14, 1818. His advantages for an early education were such as the common schools of his neighborhood afforded. He was reared a farmer, and remained with his parents till their death. Upon the decease of his father in 1844 he came into possession of the ancestral home, which had been in the family since 1680. As a farmer he ranks among the best of his town.

He is a Republican in politics, though liberal or independent. In 1843 he was a member of the State Legislature, and was returned to the same body in 1879, and served on the House Committee on Prisons. While in the Senate, in 1854, he served on the Committee on Engrossed Bills, and as chairman of the Committee on Capital Punishment. In local affairs he has had much experience, having been selectman, delegate to county conventions, and chairman of townmeetings and public gatherings.

Mr. Wilbur has been twice married. First he married Nancy O., daughter of John and Rachel (Horton) Blade, Feb. 3, 1845. They had four children, viz., Daniel (residing in Somerset), Angelina (deceased), William B. (a resident of Wisconsin), Roswell E. (deceased). The last named died in 1870, while a student at college. We append the following beautiful tribute to his memory by a committee of the Alpha Delta Phi Society, of which he was a member:

" With sorrow do we record the death of our brother, Koswell E. Wilbur, who died at his home in Somerset, Mass., on the 20th of September, 1876.

" He entered college in the Class of 1876, and continued as a member until the beginning of his Senior year, when the disease which finally terminated his life compelled him to relinquish the studies he had so ardently pursued. In his college course he distinguished himself by the breadth and accuracy of his scholarship. He had a clear, well-balanced mind, which bespoke for him a brilliant career.

" But, above all, do we feel compelled to speak of those graces of character which shone so clearly during his entire college course. Pure, unselfish, kind, and considerate, he made friends of all who came in contact with him.

" We, the members of this society, who have been called to mourn the loss of his cherished classmates, Lincoln and Greene, deeply feel our great bereavement.

"To his family, bowed down with grief, we bear our warmest sympathies. May He who brightened your home so many years with so kind a brother and dutiful a son, grant you consolation in your hour of trial .

Mr. Wilbur married his second wife, Sarah E., daughter of John Mason, of Swansea, Oct. 31, 1861. She was born in Warren, R. L, in 1833. They have two children, Henry E., of Providence, R. I., and Sarah S., living at home.

Avery Parker Slade

Avery Parker Slade is a lineal descendant from Edward Slade, the emigrant, and from William Slade, the first of the name in Somerset in 1680. (See biography of William L. Slade, of Somerset.) His greatgrandfather was Edward Slade, who had a son Baker, who was a farmer in Somerset. Baker married Hannah Pierce, and had nine children, one of whom was Edward, born in Somerset, Jan. 8, 1787, married Mary A., daughter of Capt. Benjamin A. Davis, of Somerset, Mass. They had four children, - (1) Mary A. (Mrs. Edward Edmonds) ; (2) Avery P. ; (3) Eliza D. (deceased), wife of Rev. Micah J. Talbot ; (4) George D., died unmarried, January, 1863. Edward Slade was a ship-builder for more than forty years of his earlier life, but subsequently was a fanner. Politically he was a Democrat of the old school, till the Republican party was formed, in 1856, when he became one of its stanch defenders. He held various offices of trust in his native town during the war of 1812 to 1815, and subsequently till the close of life. He represented Somerset in the General Court from 1819 to 1830, a period of eleven years, during which time he served on important committees. Both Mr. and Mrs. Slade were active members of the Methodist Church. She died in September, 1868, and he died February 14, 1878.

Avery Parker Slade, named for Hon. John Avery Parker, of New Bedford, was born in Somerset, Mass., June 13, 1818. He received a common-school and academic education. He began teaching at the age of sixteen at Bristol, R. I., and his first school numbered more than seventy pupils. He continued teaching until he was married. He was taught the trade of his father, that of ship-building, and followed the same till he was some twenty-three years of age. He married, April 4, 1844, Rebecca W., daughter of Cassina and Clarissa (Walker) Shaw, and has had four children, - (1) Edward (deceased) ; (2) Edward second (deceased) ; (3) Nathan D., engaged in the manufacture of iron ; (4) Cassina D., a book-keeper in the First National Bank, Fall River.

April 5, 1844, Mr. Slade settled on his present farm, which has since been his home. It contains about fifty acres, which are in a fine state of cultivation. He has excellent buildings, erected by himself. He is quite extensively engaged in the growing of small fruits, and has been uniformly successful. He is one of the best and most progressive farmers in Somerset. In politics he is a Republican. In 1847 he, with Joseph Marble and Henry B. Parcels, held the first anti-slavery caucus in Somerset, and they nominated as their representative to the General Court Jonathan Slade, Esq., who was at home sick and unable to attend. Mr. Slade has been justice of the peace for many years, and has held various other town offices. In 1866 he was elected a member of the State Board of Agriculture, and has continued to serve acceptably till the present time, except one term, when Judge Bennett, of Taunton, took his place. He conducts " Farmers' Institutes," and lectures in all the adjoining counties on farming, and is often called to distant counties. His views on farming and horticulture are considered authority, and his services are always in demand for institute work. He is methodical in his work, and aims to carry out his theories. He is conservative in his views on all the questions of the day, and is respected both at home and abroad.

During the great civil war he was enrolling officer for Somerset, and though exempt from military duty, yet he put into the field a substitute and paid for the same himself.

Mr. and Mrs. Slade are Unitarians in religious belief, though not members of any society. Mr. Slade possesses sound judgment and keen foresight. He is very cautious, and thinks twice before he acts. He seems to enjoy life well, and is surrounded with the comforts of a pleasant, happy home.

CAPT. NATHAN DAVIS (2d). Capt. Nathan Davis (2d) was born in Freetown, Mass., Jan. 17, 1803. He is a lineal descendant in the fifth generation from William Davis, one of the early settlers of Freetown, Mass. At what date this William Davis settled in Freetown, or when he came to America, is not known to the writer of this sketch, but from data contributed to the " Historical and Genealogical Register'' by Gen. Ebenezer W. Peirce, of Freetown, we learn that William Davis (1st) was a grand juryman in 1697 ; that he married, March 1, 1686, Mary, daughter of William and Ann (Johnson) Makepeace, of Freetown, Mass. Ann Johnson was the granddaughter of Thomas Makepeace, of Boston.

William Davis had twelve children, the fourth of whom was Jonathan2, who married Sarah Terry, and had five children, the second of whom was Jonathan3, born May 26, 1736 ; was twice married, first to Margaret Baggs, of Freetown, March 20, 1757 ; second, to Sarah Treadwell, of Freetown, Jan. 16, 1772. He died Jan. 1, 1808. He had by his first wife, Margaret Baggs, a daughter, Margaret, who died young, and a son, Jonathan*, born Jan. 7, 1770.

Their children were Jonathan5, Nancy5, Abby5, Zephaniah S.5, Eliphatel5, Nathan5, Louisa5, Chloe5, Bradley5, Sarah5, Harret5, Russel5, Sarah5 (2d), Sybil P.5, and Phebe A.5 Jonathan* died.

Nathan5 Davis, whose portrait accompanies this sketch, has spent the larger portion of his life on the water. His father was engaged in the coasting business, and young Nathan was early made acquainted with that business. At the early age of ten years he commenced going on the Taunton River, and after a service of seven years, in which he had become so familiar with the coasting business that he became master of the sloop " Mary" at seventeen years of age, he commanded her some five or six years. Soon after he built the sloop " Ranger," in company with Capt. Joseph Simmons, and ran her between Fall River and Taunton. After a few years he built another sloop, which he named "Temperance." A little incident in connection with the dedication of this sloop is worthy Of a place here, as it rears to his memory a monument more worthy and more enduring than granite or marble. It was customary in those days when a sloop, bark, or vessel of any kind was being dedicated to the purpose for which she was built to break a bottle of rum over her bow, but Capt. Davis departed from this time-honored custom and ventured the experiment of breaking a bottle of pure water over the bow of his sloop. He would have the entire service in harmony with the name she bore. This was probably the first sloop or vessel of any kind built in this country and dedicated to commerce in the name of temperance. Capt. Davis was one of the pioneer temperance men of this section, and has ever been a consistent advocate of that cause. It is a remarkable fact well worthy of mention that Capt. Davis and his five sons have each commanded the sloop "Temperance," and she has proven to be one of the most profitable sloops that ever sailed.

ness till 1873, when he retired. From 1845 to 1855 he was engaged in the grocery business in Somerset, Mass. He became a member of the First Baptist Church in Somerset in the prime of life, and in 1838 he was ordained deacon, which position he continues still to hold. He has also been trustee of the same for a great many years. Politically, he is a Republican.

He married Clarissa, daughter of John Bowen, of Fall River, Jan. 1,1826. Their children are: (1) Sarah A., wife of William P. Hood, of Somerset; (2) Nathan S., postmaster in Somerset since 1860; (3) William B., died young; (4) Elijah G., a citizen of Fall River, and captain of a steamer on the Old Colony Line ; (5) Mary E., wife of John A. Chase, of Fairhaven ; (6) Amos N., lost at sea, March 20, 1867 ; (7) Joseph F., died young; (8) Joseph F.2, master of vessels, and one of Somerset's most respected citizens ; (9) Ellen M., died young; (10) William H. H., died young; (11) Jonathan B., died young; (12) Clarissa E., wife of James F. Gardiner, of Somerset ; (13) Cornelius A., master of schooner " William P. Hood," and a highly-esteemed citizen of Somerset; and (14) Keziah M., wife of Edward Mosher, of Fall River. Mrs. Davis was born in 1811. In cases of need she was always ready to assist, and having reared a large family herself she was peculiarly well qualified to care for the sick. She was one of the strongest temperance persons in the town, and much credit is due her for the position the town took on that question during her lifetime. She died March 27, 1871, in the sixtyfirst year of her age. She was a faithful wife and devoted mother, and the impress of her Christian character may be seen to-day, not only on her own children, but upon all those with whom she came in contact.

Job M. Leonard

Job M. Leonard was born in Raynham, Bristol County, Mass., Sept. 1, 1824, and is a direct descendant of one of the Leonard families from Wales, who settled in Raynham in 1652.

He was educated at the common schools, and worked on a farm until about sixteen years of age; then he entered a hardware-store in Taunton as clerk and remained until 1844, when he commenced business on his own account. In 1849 he established an office in Boston, which has continued to the present time.

In 1850, Mr. Leonard organized the East Bridgewater Iron Company and continued with them about five years, when he disposed of his interest in that establishment and organized, in 1855, the Mount Hope Iron- Works at Somerset. He planned and built the two iron-works in that town for the manufacture of nails and plate iron. The old works were sold to the Parker Mills in 186S, and subsequently passed into the hands of the Old Colony Iron Company. The present works of the Mount Hope Company Mr. Leonard erected in 1872, and employs from two hundred to two hundred and fifty men. Upon the organization of the company Albert Field was elected president, and remained as such until his death. Mr.

Source changes here: from History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, by Hurd, Duane Hamilton, [from Old Catalog] Ed, published 1883; 11,843 words in this source stream.

George H. Talbot

George H. Talbot was born March 17, 1846, in Dighton, Bristol Co., Mass. He is the son of Joseph and Mary L. (Pratt) Talbot, of that town. His mother was a daughter of Lemuel and Alma Pratt, and was born Oct. 21, 1811. His father, Joseph Talbot, was the son of Joseph and Anna Talbot, and was born Oct. 5, 1809. He was a farmer. It is impossible to trace with certainty the ancestral history of this particular branch of the Talbot family, as there have been no records kept. The name is one that has figured largely, however, in the affairs of both this country and Europe, and some of the early settlers of New England bore that cognomen.