Taunton City (part 1 of 13)

Taunton City

fice was laid Aug. 19, 1851. The house was finished in the ensuing year, and dedicated Sept. 29, 1852." In 1853 and 1868 members were dismissed to aid in constituting churches in East Taunton and Whitten ton.

" In 1870," continues the Manual from which we have already quoted, " after forty-five years of service with the one church of his ministry, Mr. Maltby resigned the active duties of his pastorate. During his long service he had received eight hundred and sixty members into the church, and baptized six hundred and eighty-six persons. By vote of the church the pastoral relation was not formally dissolved, and he still remained pastor emeritus.

" In 1871 the church extended a call to Mr. Stephen M. Newman, a member of the graduating class of Andover Seminary, and he was ordained October 17th.

" In 1872 a parsonage was erected on School Street, and in 1877 some important alterations and improvements were made in the audience room of the house of worship.

" After an interval of nearly two years, Rev. Herman P. De Forest, of Westborough, Mass., accepted the call of the church and society, and was installed April 11, 1880.

The memory of some of the earlier members of the church, who were chosen its deacons, is still very precious, - Jezaniah Sumner, William Reed, Joseph ' Wilbar, Richmond Walker, Francis Richmond, Benjamin C. Hatch.

The Winslow Church. - The next church distinctively Congregational organized in Taunton was named, after the street where it worshiped, the Spring Street Church. Its membership of forty-four, with the exception of two from the West Taunton Church, came entirely from the Trinitarian Congregational Church, whose history has just been given. Its organization was in 1837, January 12th. S. Hopkins Emery, who studied at Amherst and Andover, was ordained and installed its first pastor Nov. 23, 1837, continuing in that relation until called to Bedford, January, 1841. Rev. Lathrop Taylor, a graduate of Middlebury College in 1839, succeeded him May 16, 1843, and resigned in July, 1845. He has been many years a most successful minister of the gospel in Illinois. The first pastor of the church was recalled and reinstalled Jan. 6, 1847, remaining pastor until the latter part of 1855, when he left to take the pastorate of the First Congregational Church in Quincy, 111., where he remained fourteen years, preaching afterward for limited periods in Chicago, Providence, Bridgeport, Conn., and North Middleborough, Mass. He was called to Taunton for the third time, and is now serving as secretary and superintendent of the

Associated Charities of Taunton. The Spring Street Church on leaving its first place of worship in 1853, March 23d, lor its new sanctuary, dropped its first name, and, in memory of Governor Edward Winslow, who in 1621 journeyed through the place, became the Winslow Church. Rev. Mortimer Blake, then the minister of Mansfield, was called to this church in 1855, and has remained its pastor twenty-seven years, with the manifest approval of heaven upon his labors.

Dr. Blake, born in Pittston, Me., but early removed to Franklin, Mass., graduated from Amherst College in 1835, and studied theology with Rev. E. Smalley, D.D., of Franklin, afterward of Worcester and Troy, N. Y. He was first installed in Mansfield Dec. 4, 1839, and over the Winslow Church Dec. 4, 1855.

The membership, at first but forty-four, has since increased to four hundred and ninety-four, of whom more than half have died or removed, leaving now two hundred and ten members. The church building was enlarged in 1872 to accommodate its growing congregation, and was repaired aud modernized within in 1882. It has been from the beginning a strong and united body, ready for every good word and work. There are names in its early history which should never be forgotten, - Roswell Ballard, John, William, and Hodges Reed, Philander W. Dean, and their wives, with others of precious memory. The present deacons of the church are Edgar H. Reed and Andrew S. Briggs.

The Congregational Church1 (Trinitarian), East Taunton. - This was the next church of this order in Taunton. Organized with thirteen members the 16th of June, 1853, it has been served by pastors as follows :

Rev. N. Richardson, who commenced labor in a school-house in the month of April prior to the organization. He continued with the church only one year, preaching in a chapel built by the Old Colony Iron Company.

He was followed by Rev. James R. Cushing, who began his ministry May 7, 1854, and closed it in 1861. A church edifice was built and dedicated early in his ministry, which', with some alterations, is still in use.

Rev. Frederic A. Reed, a native of Taunton, after supplying the pulpit three months, became pastor Nov. 1, 1866, and so continued till June, 1876.

In June, 1861, E. W. Cain and Cyrus Caswell were chosen deacons, Deacon Cain having served in that capacity from the beginning without formal appointment. Deacon Caswell died Feb. 11, 1875. D. C. Wentworth was chosen to that office March 7, 1875.

The Union Congregational (Trinitarian) Church1 in Taunton was organized in the year 1868. For many years efforts had been made to sustain public worship in Whittenton and vicinity, the Baptist and Methodist denominations having occupied the ground at different times. At a meeting held Nov. 14, 1867, the Union Society of Whittenton was formed for the maintenance of public worship, and a constitution was adopted. At a meeting of this society held Dec. 25, 1867, it was voted to invite Rev. Isaac Dunham, of Westport, Mass., to preach the gospel here. Mr. Dunham accepted the invitation, and commenced his labors early the following year, and steps were at once taken towards the regular formation of a Church of Christ.

At a meeting held March 16, 1868, at the house of Charles L. Lovering, Rev. Isaac Dunham, chairman, and C. L. Lovering, scribe, on motion of Barnes L. Burbank, it was voted to adopt a confession of faith and covenant which had been drawn up by the Rev. Mr. Dunham. The substance of this confession and covenant is the same as that usually adopted by churches of the same faith. It was then voted to send invitations to the Trinitarian Congregational, Winslow, and West (Taunton) Churches, to the church in Assonet, and to the Second Congregational Church in Dorchester, and also to the Rev. Henry B. Hooker, D.D., of Boston, to assemble in council here at some appointed date to give advice, and to take action, if expedient, in the matter of the formation of a church.

It was also voted that a committee, consisting of Rev. I. Dunham, B. L. Burbank, and N. N. Gleason, be appointed to issue the letters missive, and to make other necessary arrangements for the' formation of a church.

The council called by these letters missive was convened at Whittenton, Thursday, April 2, 1868, and consisted of the individual and the pastors and delegates of the churches already indicated. Rev. E. Maltby was chosen moderator of the council, and Rev. F. H. Boynton scribe.

The usual steps being taken, the persons desirous to constitute a new church, twenty-four in number, bringing letters from other churches, were constituted an Evangelical Christian Church.

At a meeting of the church held April 17, 1868, B. L. Burbank was chosen deacon ; Rev. I. Dunham, clerk; and Messrs. Dunham, Burbank, and Lovering were chosen to prepare by-laws and make regulations for the government of the church, which by-laws and regulations were duly prepared and accepted.

Rev. Isaac Dunham resigned his office as acting pastor of the church Jan. 6, 1873, and Rev. H. Morton Dexter was called to the pastorate, his ordination and installation taking place April 30, 1873. At the same time also the new and beautiful house of worship, at the corner of Britannia and Rockland Streets, was dedicated with appropriate services.

The affairs of the church, temporally and spiritually, have been prosperous from the first. At one time twenty-four persons were added, at another time twenty-five, and on another occasion forty-seven. This increase was almost wholly " on confession."

Rev. Edward N. Porneroy was invited to serve the church as acting pastor for six months, commencing Jan. 1, 1882, at the expiration of which time he accepted an invitation to the pastorate, and was installed Oct. 18, 1882.

William Holmes was elected deacon Nov. 26, 1873, and Elijah Tolman, Nov. 23, 1876. The clerks of the church have been Rev. Isaac Dunham, Rev. Morton Dexter, Rev. John W. Ballantine, and Frank L. Fish. Samuel W. Grimes has been the clerk of the society. Charles L. Lovering has been the superintendent of the Sunday-school. '

The whole number of names upon the church rolls is (Jan. 1, 1883) two hundred and thirty-seven. The actual membership is one hundred and eightyfive. The membership of the Sunday-school is two hundred and twenty-five. The number of families connected with the congregation is one hundred and fifty.

We have alluded to the separate meetings set up in the new towns set off from Taunton in 1711, 1712, 1725, 1731, 1735, and 1736, but these were all of the Congregational order. Other forms of polity and faith found favor with the people in due time, and in different parts of Taunton other denominations of Christians became known. Some of these have disappeared and their history is all in the past. Early as 1720, Rev. Mr. Danforth, in a letter to Cotton Mather and other Boston ministers, alludes to a meeting distinct from his own " in a corner" of his parish. This was a meeting of a Society of Friends, which has not existed for many years. The Sandemanians

Taunton

A Six-Principle Baptist Church was organized in 1789, holding their meetings first in North Rehoboth, and afterwards in West Taunton, to which Rev. Joseph us W. Horton preached a considerable length of time. But this church and their meetings have come to an end.

So also in the present century the Christian Baptists built a church and worshiped many years on Trescott Street, but the organization no longer exists, although their place of worship remains the property of Mr. O. S. Wilbur.

The Free- Will Baptists for some years struggled to sustain a meeting in their new church at the corner of Weir Street and Somerset Avenue, but relinquished the field to the Methodists.

The St. Thomas' Protestant Episcopal Church. - Fortunately the foundation laid in about 1700 by Capt. Thomas Coram for a Protestant Episcopal Church was for many generations. Coram had a ship-yard in South Dighton. Things did not go to suit him in this new land, and he returned to the mother-country, founding in 1739 in the city of London a hospital " fpr the maintenance and education of exposed and deserted young children." Nor did he forget New England. Before he left it he " employed Mr. Attorney-General Newton, of Boston, to prepare amply strong and in due form" a deed making over certain lands to the inhabitants of Taunton should they ever become " sufficiently civilized to want a Church of England built among them." That time came at length, and even in Coram's lifetime, and he forwarded to the church from England a library gathered from various sources, a portion of which is still preserved, including a "Book of Common Prayer, given by the Right Honorable Arthur Onslow, Esq., Speaker of the Hon. House of Commons."

The original church building of this parish was on the glebe, in Oakland, West Taunton. It is remembered to have been there till 1815, when it was blown down in the September gale of that year and never rebuilt. The sacred inclosure, where He the buried dead, marks the spot which should be held dear by the flourishing St. Thomas' Church, who now worship in a costly stone edifice elsewhere. The glebe was conveyed to the wardens of the church and their associates by deed bearing date March 19, 1743. It was purchased by subscription " for the sole benefit and profit of the Rector, for the time being, of St. Thomas, standing near Three-Mile River, in Taunton." The subscribers to the glebe were twenty-six, to the amount of £528 10s. Thomas Cobb was the largest donor, his subscription amounting to £120. Rev. John Lyon was the " first resident minister." There were occasional supplies, of whom Rev. John Graves is mentioned. Mr. Lyon's first recorded baptism was in 1765, but he may have begun labor earlier. The people paid him his salary " to his good acceptance" we are told, an example of promptness which was needed in those times.

The record of this ministry as given by Rev. Mr. Bent, in a historical discourse, reads well, - " A most estimable man and exemplary minister of Christ." He was mindful of the good morals of the community, distributing copies of a tract, entitled " Admonition to the Drinkers of Spirituous Liquors." He left some time before the Revolution and went South, where he died. His successor was Rev. AVilliam W. Wheeler, whose first recorded baptism was in 1786. He preached in other towns as well as Taunton, - " an estimable man and an intelligent divine," but crippled in his ministry by political causes, and at length removed to Scituate, where he preached, and died in 1810. The St. Thomas Parish had no resident rector from 1798 to 1829, when Rev. John West, a native of Boston and a graduate of Cambridge in 1813, commenced labor with good success. His successors have been Rev. Messrs. Henry Blackaller, Samuel Hazzard, Edmund Neville, N. T. Bent, Theodore W. Snow, Edward Anthon, Edmund Neville, once more, Thomas H. Vaill, Robert C. Rogers, and the present rector, Charles H. Learoyd, who entered upon his rectorship April 1, 1872.

One member, and the last of the committee, appointed in 1828 " to inquire into the expediency of establishing Episcopal worship in this town," has just passed away (Feb. 10, 1883), the Hon. Samuel L. Crocker. He and his brother William were largely instrumental in the reviving of the Episcopal Church, which had slumbered since the present century came in, and it was through their influence a church building was erected, at a cost of seven thousand five hundred dollars, and consecrated in June, 1829. " Marcus Morton and Francis Baylies were wardens of the parish," writes Rev. Mr. Learoyd in his " parochial history, embodied in a sermon preached the Sunday after Christmas, Dec. 28, 1879," and quoting from an earlier historical sermon by Rev. Mr. Bent, " then rector, delivered on Easter day, 1844."

It was during Mr. Snow's rectorship that, at the suggestion of Mr. Edmund Baylies, who promised one thousand dollars, a rectory was built on Harrison Street; also more than thirty thousand dollars were subscribed toward a new church, which was not completed, however, till March 3, 1859, when its consecration took place during the rectorship of Rev. Mr. Vaill. When Dr. Vaill was called to the office of a bishop elsewhere, he records as the result of his ministry of five years and nine months in Taunton, the baptism of one hundred and forty-six infants, thirty adults, and the confirmation of one hundred and seventeen. The number of communicants on the register were two hundred and seventy-five.

church, which had been built at a cost of fifteen thousand dollars, was opened with appropriate services. In 1873, during the rectorship of Rev. Mr. Learoyd, the church, which had been renovated and decorated at an expense of eleven thousand five hundred dollars, was reopened, the bishop of the diocese, with many of the clergy, being present.

The St. John's Protestant Episcopal Church - " As early as 1863," writes Rev. Mr. Learoyd, " church services began to be maintained at Hopewell by a lay reader, and a Sunday-school was gathered of about fifty. This movement resulted in the formation of the parish of St. John's, and in building the fine church it now occupies. The money for that purpose, about twenty-five thousand dollars, was contributed within this city with the exception of about three thousand dollars." For the following facts I am indebted to Mr. Henry M. Lovering:

Rev. Mr. Miles resigned July, 1873. Rev. Louis De Cormis was rector from July, 1873, to June, 1875. Rev. Edward H. True was rector from July, 1875, to Feb. 19, 1877. Rev. S. S. Spear was rector from July, 1877, to July, 1881 . Rev. Francis Mansfield, the present rector, commenced his labors April 2, 1882.

The Free-Will Baptist Church, North Taunton. - For the notice of this church I am largely indebted to the faithful researches of Rev. Mr. Tozer, the present pastor.

There were a few Baptists in that part of Taunton as early as 1747, according to the statement of Backus in his history of that denomination. Mr. Jeremiah Bassett obtained permission from the church in the northeastern part of Rehoboth, to which Elder Richard Round ministered, " to hold worship on the Lord's day in his own house." This house was situated about thirty rods east of the junction of Bay and Field Streets, on the latter street. Here, therefore, the first stated preaching of the gospel in North Taunton was established, and the few believers of the place were, as in primitive times, a " church in his house." This Mr. Bassett was a son of Joseph, the son of William Bassett, who came over in the brig " Fortune" soon after the first landing of the pilgrims. Jeremiah had a son bearing the same name, who became influential in the church and occasionally preached. The descendants are numerous in this region.

The little company to whom Mr. Bassett ministered were so prospered that in 1767 they built a meetinghouse on the corner of what are now Bay and Field Streets, which remained until 1837, when it was removed to the Weir, and became a warehouse, at present occupied by the Messrs. Church. In 1769, the proposition came from the Baptists of Norton, who had no meeting-house and had assembled in private houses for their meetings ever since they left Rev. Mr. Avery's church, as Separatists or New Lights, in 1747, to unite and form one society. The proposition pleased the Baptists of Taunton. Hence the union took place and they agreed in calling to the pastoral work, the care and oversight of the church, Rev. William Nelson, who married the daughter of Rev. Isaac Backus, pastor of a church in that part of Middleborough called Titicut, who had often preached in Norton and Taunton, and was influential with the people. Mr. Nelson was one of three brothers, all preachers. He was a graduate of what is now Brown University, a man of good learning and excellent Christian character. He was ordained by council Nov. 12, 1772, his father-in-law, Mr. Backus, giving the charge, and Elder Ebenezer Hinds preaching the sermon. His pastorate continued more than thirteen years, and was much blessed. Discipline was faithfully administered, and great care taken to preserve the purity of the church. Two deacons were chosen in Mr. Nelson's time, Ebenezer Burt and Joel Briggs, the last of whom afterward became pastor of a church in Braintree.

The health of Rev. William Nelson failing in 1785, his brother Ebenezer was called to the pastorate, but he was not installed till 1790, when Elder Backus was again present with other ministers, and acted as moderator. This pastorate continued to March 10, 1795, and, like that of his brother, proved one of profit to the people. But for some years afterwards the church was in a low state and was without stated preaching. In 1805 two deacons were chosen, Timothy Briggs and Noah Clapp.

About this time Rev. Zephaniah S. Crossman was among them, who, after preaching with a good deal of zeal and apparent success, drew oiF more than forty of the members to a separate meeting, which was continued two years. And now again there was no stated preaching nor settled ministry for some years, but occasional supplies, among whom Rev. Silas Hall and Dr. Shubael Lovell are mentioned. It was through the last named, as acting pastor, the request of seven members was presented, in May, 1819, to be dismissed to form a part of a new church at the centre of Taunton. These were William Stall, Elias Parry, A.biathar Phillips, Mary Johnson, Rhoda Godfrey, Nancy Stall, Mary Hall.

In 1822 an element which had been at work many years took an organized form, and was known as the Free-Will Baptists, occupying the meeting-house alternate Sabbaths with the Calvinist branch, which in 1835 removed to Norton and built a church, under the leadership of. Rev. Henry C. Coombs. The pastor of the portion which remained in Taunton was Rev. Reuben Allen, who was succeeded in 1832 by Rev. James F. Mowry, remaining six years. He was followed April 7, 1838, by Elder Folsoni, remaining till 1840. Then came Elder Thomas Brown in 1841, continuing till 184.3, highly esteemed by the people. Rev. T. H. Bachelder was his successor, remaining nine years, and was much beloved. He closed his labors in April, 1855. Rev. S. D. Church was the next pastor, remaining six years, and meeting with good success. He resigned in 1861, followed by Rev. George G. Hill, who remained till 1866. Rev. George W. Richardson was pastor from 1868 to 1873. Rev. J. N. Rich and Rev. George H. Chappell followed, the former for two, and the latter for one year. May 13, 1876, Rev. S. D. Church returned to the church, remaining till 1881, when the pastorate was assumed by Rev. R. H. Tozer, who still remains, and has furnished the writer with many of the preceding facts.

The Calvinist Baptist Church, Winthrop Street. - This church at its organization, June 16, 1819, was called the "Second Baptist Church in Taunton," recognizing the existence of the earlier church in North Taunton, whose history has just been given. Seven of its original sixteen members came from that church. Previous to this time meetings had been held with the occasional help of ministers from abroad, of whom Elders William Barton, William Bentley, Shubael Lovell are particularly mentioned. The lay brethren who encouraged their coming were William Stall, James Olney, Elias Parry, Thomas C. Brown, Abiathar Phillips, and Abiathar Hall. The meetings were held " iu private dwellings, school-houses, and sometimes in the town hall." They resulted in the calling of a council for the recognition of the church as above stated, of which Rev. Dr. Stephen Gano, of Providence, was moderator, and Rev. David Benedict, of Pawtucket, was scribe. The church leased and occupied Armory Hall for most of the time till their first house of worship was built on High Street, near the corner of Weir Street, in 1824. " Prayer and conference meetings were maintained, and occasional preaching as ministering brethren came along." It was not till 1825 a stated supply was enjoyed, - the ministrations of Caleb Benson, a licensed preacher. The first pastor was Rev. Silas Hall. The date of his acceptance, Nov. 21, 1826. The date of his dismission, March 10, 1830. There was a net increase of eighteen during his ministry. There had been seasons of spiritual refreshing in 1822 and 1826. Rev. Benjamin C. Grafton, the second pastor, received his call June 7, 1831, and remained until May 26, 1834. Eleven members were added during his ministry, and the church removed from High Street to a new and " more commodious edifice, sixty-five by forty-four feet, on Market, now Winthrop Street. This meeting-house was dedicated Oct. 10, 1832, and for the following thirtythree years was the Sabbath home of the church and congregation and the spiritual birthplace of many souls."

was called to this office June 30, 1834, and ordained August 27th of the same year. "The settlement of this devoted young minister," remarks Rev. Andrew Pollard, D.D., in a "historical sketch" of the church from which 1 have already quoted, "opened a new era in the history of the church. His hearty consecration to his work, bis meek and gentle spirit, his sound discretion, and his earnest labors for the spiritual welfare of his people won their love and confidence. And though his earthly labors were limited to the short period of two years, his influence was eminently favorable to religious prosperity, and his memory is still fragrant and blessed. There were added to the church under his ministry thirty-seven members."

Rev. Henry Clark, the fourth pastor, was installed Dec. 29, 1836, and continued his official labors till June 30, 1839. During this pastorate forty-eight were added to the church.

The sixth pastor, Rev. James F. Wilcox, was installed Dec. 21, 1842, continuing in that relation till Nov. 27, 1848, nearly six years. In 1845 the parsonage on Winthrop Street, nearly opposite the church, was provided, largely through the liberal contribution of Mr. Albert Field, and in 1847 the meetinghouse was enlarged and otherwise improved.

The seventh pastor, Rev. Andrew Pollard, D.D., was installed Oct. 24, 1849. During the first year of his pastorate fifty-four were added to the membership. In 1858 there was a powerful work of grace, which greatly quickened and strengthened the church. More than one hundred were added to its number. The large increase in 1862 suggested the need of a new church building, which was begun that year, and was dedicated Oct. 10, 1865, just thirty-three years from the dedication of the old house. It was built of brick and freestone, in the early English style of architecture, one hundred and fifteen feet long by sixty-four wide, of fine proportions, beautiful finish, a credit to the denomination and an ornament to the city. In 1866, sixteen years after his settlement, Dr. Pollard reported two hundred and eighty-four additions to the church as the fruit of his ministry, with a present membership of three hundred and sixteen. The deacons of his church were Ebenezer Staples, Edward Wilcox, Calvin Woodward, Anson J. Barker, Lemuel L. White.

Dr. Pollard's was a long and useful pastorate of more than twenty-two years. His connection with the church and society closed Dec. 31, 1871. He resigned to accept a call to the Fourth Street Baptist Church, South Boston, where he remained until he entered upon a secretaryship in denominational work, for which he was eminently fitted by his exact method and unusual executive ability, a position which he

Wightman, the eighth pastor, April 1, 1873, a man of fine scholarship and eminent pulpit talents, who served the people faithfully and well until Aug. 6, 1882, when he was invited to relinquish the pastoral office for a public trust, that of preparing a new version of the Scriptures, for which, of all other men in the denomination, he was regarded best qualified. But other service awaited him. He had a call to go \ up higher. While his family were on their way to j Europe, and before he had entered on his work in | New York, the news reached Taunton that Rev. Mr. Wightman had breathed his last at Tiverton. It was a sorrowful assembly which filled the Winthrop Street Baptist Church, one summer day in August, 1882, when one minister after another bore testimony to the worth of the departed, and with " much lamentation devout men took him up and buried him."

In December, 1882, the church and people with great unanimity called to the pastorate Rev. Joseph Kennard Wilson, of New London, Conn., who has entered on his work with great promise of success.

The Tlniversalist Church, corner of Spring and High Streets. - Rev. Mr. Quinby, in a historical sermon in 1851, expresses the opinion that the way was prepared for such a church by the preaching of " the venerable Murray" some sixty years before, and Rev. John Foster, a minister in Taunton at the beginning of the century, is credited with those views. The religious society was incorporated, with Charles Foster and twenty-one others as subscribers, in February, 1825. Their first settled minister was Rev. John B. Dods, who remained with them from 1831 to 1835. He organized a church of thirty members in 1832. Dr. Alfred Baylies, a leading physician of Taunton, was a prominent member of the society, serving as its clerk. They worshiped in the old meeting-house of the town ; removed from the " Church Green" in 1831 to a spot on Spring Street. After the resignation of Mr. Dods, in 1835, preaching services were suspended until 1839, when the society was reorganized with many new members, and Rev. William Fishbough was called to the pastorate. Religious services were held in halls hired for the purpose, when in 1842 the parish built, on the corner of Spring and High Streets, a church which they occupied for nearly forty years. On the removal of Rev. Mr. Fishbough in 1844, Bev. W. B. S. Mellen entered on a brief pastorate. He was followed by Rev. George W. Quinby, of Saco, Me., who remained from October, 1846, to November, 1851. He was called to Cincinnati, Ohio, but afterwards returned to his native State, and is conducting a denominational paper in Augusta, Me., influential in that part of New England. Bev. J. S. Brown was his successor in Taunton, who died in the pastoral office, abounding in labors which endeared him to the people. He was followed by Bev. Messrs. James E. Bruce, U. M. Fiske, and Charles Mellen, the last named, like his predecessor, Brown, dying in his Taunton pastorate, to the great grief of the church, and his grave is in Mount Fleasant Cemetery. He was followed by Bev. Messrs. Everett L. Conger and Bussell P. Ambler. It was during Mr. Ambler's ministry that the church edifice of 1842 was taken down and on the same spot a new building erected, attractive and pleasant. Mr. Ambler is now in Medford. with the church of which he was formerly pastor, and the Taunton people are united in Bev. Alpheus B. Hervey, who came hither from Troy, N. Y., in September, 1879.

The First Methodist Episcopal Church, Taunton. - This church was organized in that part of Taunton called the Weir in 1830, and has been served in accordance with the system of itinerancy by many ministers. Their names, as I have learned them, are Bev. Messrs. S. W. Coggshall, E. B. Bradford, Lewis Bates, J. D. Butler, D. Webb, J. Parkinson, William Livesey, J. M. Worcester, Paul Townsend, S. C. Brown, George M. Carpenter, Sanford Benton, Henry Baylies, Charles Nason, J. T. Benton, N. P. Philbrook, J. D. King, Charles H. Titus, L. B. Bates, Charles Young, Angelo Canoll, E. McChesney, H. A. Cleveland, and C. W. Gallagher, the present incumbent.

This church, for more than half a century, has lived and wrought a good work under the leadership of these twenty-four pastors and teachers in that part of the city called the Weir. Other denominations of Christians in their vicinity have co-operated with them in a friendly spirit, and a strong, vigorous church has been built up, one of the largest and most influential in the denomination. Its present officebearers are William H. Merrill, Henry F. Cobb, Jacob Burt, Lemuel T. Talbot, Samuel Miller, George W. Barrows, Abel W. Parker, William N. Parker, Charles H. Lincoln, Luther B. West, William E. Walker, Zenas Knapp, Abram Simmons, Job C. Chace, Bichard L. Hewitt, John P. Crane.

The Central Methodist Episcopal Church, Cohannet Street, organized in 1853. Its ministers have been Bev. Messrs. William H. Stetson, C. H. Titus, A. C. Atwater, S. F. Upham, J. A. M. Chapman, J. Mather, J. Howson, E. H. Hatfield, F. Upham, J. W. Willett, H. D. Bobinson, A. Anderson, A. P. Palmer, 0. H. Fernald, J. E. Hawkins, and Edward Edson, the present incumbent.

This church was demanded by communicants who could not visit the Weir, and finds in the dense population around it an important field for useful labor. Its present office-bearers are J. G. Luscomb, William Hutchinson, Ezra Hamlen, J. H. Codding, E. H. Eldridge, J. W. Thayer, Otis L. Baker, J. F. Park, A. S. Bound, James Hailley, G. H. Thayer, L. E. Dickerman, G. H. Park, Thomas Lawrence, John Lawrence, George E. Dunbar, W. H. Waitt, F. H. Miett, Leonard Luce, S. O. Sherman.

The Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, corner of "Weir Street and Somerset Avenue, organized in 1874. Its ministers have been Bev. Messrs.. William T. Worth, Samuel J. Carroll, and Edwin D. Hall, the present incumbent. With active and efficient work this church has grown and prospered, recently paying off a large indebtedness, and with better promise of permanency than ever before. Its present office-bearers are Israel Allen, Asa N. Dyer, John L. Merigold, Edward F. Anthony, Joshua Parsons, H. M. H. Taylor, Jonathan J. Stanley, William H. Field, William H. Phillips, J. F. Montgomery, Peleg B. Hart, Addison Taylor, Samuel G. Hicks, Ira W. Maxham, Samuel T. Turpin, Henry L. Babbitt.

Its brick church building was first occupied by a Free Baptist Church, which has ceased to exist as a separate organization. Its pastor, Rev. Mr. McKeown, served it faithfully for several years.

The Advent Christian Church. - It is but recently this church has been organized (in 1880), and its only resident minister has been Rev. A. W. Sibley, who is now preaching elsewhere. Their Sabbath and weekday services are held in Cedar Street Chapel, and their supplies of preaching are from abroad.

The Roman Catholic Church. - The parishes of this church in Taunton belong, as do some others in Massachusetts, to the diocese of Providence, of which the Right Rev. Thomas Francis Hendricken, D.D., is bishop.

The first occasion of divine service according to the ritual of the Catholic Church of which we hear in Taunton was that at which the Rev. Father Woodley officiated in 1827. There was, however, no permanent pastor until some time in 1830, when the Rev. John Curry celebrated mass in a private house, and about fifteen heads of families, mostly of persons employed in the Taunton Print- Works, assisted. After this service a subscription was begun looking towards the purchase of ground and the erection of a church. So well did the collections succeed that before the close of 1831 a lot near the intersection of Washington Street and Broadway, adequate for a church and burial-place, had been bought, and the old St. Mary's was erected thereon during the same winter. In about three years Father Curry found it necessary to enlarge the church, and an addition was made which brought it out flush with the sidewalk.

No subsequent event of special importance appears to have occurred in the parish until after the arrival of the Rev. Dr. Wilson in 1846, except the everrecurring one of accessions from abroad, notably from Ireland, which, if appropriately termed the " Niobe of Nations" at home, it may with equal propriety be said has reason to moderate her grief in view of the good fortune which attends her children in other lands. "Sunny France" did not furnish her contingent of those who adhered to the ancient faith till later on, and then through the overflow of her more immediate colonization point, Lower Canada. The Portuguese and other nationalities have also from time to time found homes and employment here, as our growing manufacturing enterprises demanded skilled labor from similar establishments in Europe. At the present time it may be observed that the Catholics of Taunton are creditably represented not only in the mechanical and manufacturing employments, but in mercantile and professional pursuits as well.

During the intermediate period St. Mary's was supplied by the Rev. Fathers Wylie, Ryan, and O'Byrne. An auecdote has come down to us from Father Ryan's day which is worth preserving. During his pastorate some young men of the parish called on the late Dr. Fenwick, , Bishop of Boston, to which diocese St. Mary's then belonged, for the purpose of asking a change of pastors, on the score that although Father Ryan was a worthy priest he was not a pulpit orator. The bishop heard their request, and not seeing adequate reason for granting it, bade the young gentlemen return home and attend to their own spiritual duties like good boys. The wisdom of this decision was shown a few months later, when the bishop found a parish in greater need of such a shepherd, in the reluctance with which the people of St. Mary's parted with their spiritual director.

In consideration of the increasing numerical strength of the parish, Dr. Wilson determined in 1849 on the erection of a brick church, having purchased the lot on the opposite side of Washington Street for that purpose; but the walls when built were deemed insecure, and the materials were consequently used in the construction of the present St. Mary's, standing on the same site, the erection of which was begun about June, 1854, during the succeeding pastorate of the Rev. Daniel Hearne. Father Hearne devoted himself very zealously to the undertaking, but did not live to finish his pious work. After seeing the edifice inclosed he was finally laid to rest beside its front entrance (his body having been temporarily deposited in Mayflower Hill Cemetery), deeply regretted by the people he had served.

There was still much to be done, not only to complete the church - floors, altars, stained-glass windows, pews, etc. - but also to reduce a double debt arising out of the erection of two structures, all of which devolved on the succeeding pastor, the Rev. Thomas H. Shahan, who arrived some time in 1864. This legacy of debt and responsibility was resolutely met by the formation of a Church Debt Society, pledged to monthly contributions, and by holding a church fair, to which generous contributions were made by Christians of other names.1 The church as it now stands, built of bluestone in the Gothic style of architecture, compares favorably with any similar edifice in New England.

Although the immediate objects were accomplished, the parish was so weakened by the then general business depression that Father Shahan did not attempt to carry out a project which he had very much at heart, - the establishment of a parish school ; and having been called to Boston in 1871, the Rev. Edward J. Sheridan, the present pastor, was sent to fill the vacancy. A vigorous effort is now being made in the parish towards the attainment of the latter object, the school to be placed under the charge of one of the religious orders which have proved so efficient elsewhere, not only in imparting secular knowledge, but in so cultivating the moral and religious nature of their pupils as to exert a permanent influence for good on their lives and conduct.

During the pastorate of Father Hearae his mission, besides Taunton proper, included East Taunton, Middleborough, Norton, Westville, North and South Dighton. During Father Shahan's, Middleborough and Norton were separated from the Taunton parish, and during Father Sheridan's, Weir Village, East Taunton, and Dighton have also been detached, the Rev. Hugh J. Smyth having v been appointed the first pastor, succeeded by the Rev. James K. Beaven, the present incumbent, and a school-house having been adapted to the purpose of a church for the congregation. Recently the Rev. James Roach has been performing mission duty among the French and other residents in Whittenton, with the ultimate intention of erecting a church, but at the present writing no territorial boundaries have been assigned him.

Father Wilson was assisted by Father Elwards ; Father Hearne by Fathers McPhillips and J. Tracy; Father Shahan by Fathers Foley, F. A. Quinn, M. J. Burns, Hugh J. Smyth, Hugh Smith, and Bruton ; Father Sheridan by Fathers William D. Kelly, James Smith, Thomas Grace, William Hines, James A. Ward, James Fogarty, William Pyne, and Martin F. Kelly. The two last-named gentlemen are still connected with the parish. Father Beaven is at present assisted by the Rev. Michael F. Cassidy.

During Father Hearne's pastorate the Young Catholics' Friend Society was formed ; during Father Shahan's, St. Mary's Benevolent Society, a Young Men's Lyceum, and a temperance society ; and during the present pastorate a Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul was organized.

The present Catholic population of Taunton is estimated at six thousand souls. For the preceding full account of the Roman Catholic Church, I am indebted to a kind friend in that communion.

The Oakland Union and Arlington Street Society and Sabbath-School. - Beside the regularly organized churches in the city, there are union meetings sustained, as at Oakland and Arlington Street Chapel. There was once a Six-Principle Baptist Church in that part of Taunton called Oakland, organized in Rehoboth in 1789, but removed to Taunton on the death of Elder Round, in 1824, and worshiped in a school-house. In 1840, Rev. Josephus W. Horton became their minister, and a small meeting-house was built. Mr. Chesbrough, connected with the Oakland Mill, was instrumental also in building a small chapel where Episcopal services were held. Both these meetings in time were discontinued, and in 1874 what was called the Oakland Union was organized, uniting most of the Christian elements, and sustaining with a good measure of success a Sabbath-school and a regular Sabbath preaching service by the different ministers of the city. The officers of the union the present year are, George T. Bullock, president; L. L. Short, vice-president; J. Gegenheimer, secretary; John Willis, treasurer; Joseph S. Tidd, Alfred Stall, Oliver H. Crossman, S. L. Reed, E. 0. Wilmarth, Lorenzo Bushee, Alfred Wilmarth, executive committee; Allen Burt, trustee for three years.

The Arlington Street organization is on the same union principle. They sustain a Sabbath-school, but no preaching service on the Sabbath, only on Wednesday evening. Their recently-elected board of officers are, J. A. Matthews Wilbur, president; George H. Fairbanks, vice-president; George Chace, clerk; Edwin M. Hills, treasurer ; Frank G. Lindsey, collector; William Carsley, Edwin Leonard, William McKendrick, executive committee; Charles L. Lovering, Seth C. French, Dr. J. S. Andrews, Dr. N. M. Ransom, Jeremy B. Dennett, trustees.

The officers of the Sabbath-school are, Edwin M. Hills, superintendent; Thomas W. Sherman, assistant superintendent ; Mrs. Emma Leonard, secretary; George H. Fairbanks, treasurer; George Williams, librarian; William Williams, assistant librarian-; Miss Clara Wilbur, organist ; Miss Gertrude Sherman, assistant organist ; Mrs. A. F. Hersey, Mrs. H. C. Kennicutt, Miss Maria D. Hills, William Carsley, Edwin Leonard, executive committee of the school.

The Taunton Union Mission and the Associated Charities - Cedar Street Chapel. - This mission, which included no church organization but represented all the churches, was organized in March, 1861, and began to occupy its chapel, built by Mr. Joseph Dean, in 1867. It has been served by Rev. Messrs. Joshua A. Stetson, Reuben H. Cobb, George M. Hamlen, and S. Hopkins Emery. In 1881 the mission carried on its work under a new name, - The Associated Charities of Taunton, - and in January, 1883, it received a charter of incorporation from the commonwealth, with the following , list of officers: President, Samuel L. Crocker;1 Vice-Presidents, Mortimer Blake, Joseph Dean ; Secretary and Superintendent, S. Hopkins Emery ; Treasurer, Orville A. Barker ; Directors, Samuel L. Crocker, Henry G. Reed, A. King Williams, A. B. Harvey, George A. Washburn ; a board of managers consisting of the above-named and William C. Lovering, H. P. De i The Hon. Samuel L. Crocker having died Feb. 10, 1883, the directors, March 12th, unanimously elected as president Mr. Henry Goodwin Reed, of the firm of Reed & Barton, who, from the beginning, has been deeply interested in the work of the Mission and the Associated Charities.

Its aim and work, approved by all the churches, are well expressed in the " agreement" of the corporators in these words, " To assist the needy, and raise them as far as practicable above the need of relief; to prevent street-begging, imposition, and the existence of a pauper caste ; to secure the united action of the different charities, and of all benevolent persons in one harmonious system of wise aid to the poor."

Chapter Lxv

The Educational Interests of Taunton.1 - The first settlers of Taunton, as of other New England towns, erected not only the meeting-house, but the school-house. The two went everywhere together. If Messrs. Hooke and Street were the first ministers, the schoolmaster was here even before them, and his name was Bishop. Some have presumed to question whether there ever was such a man, or at least that we have any knowledge of him ; but I claim we know something, although we might wish it were more.

Thomas Lechford, " of Clement Inne, in the county of Middlesex," was a visitor to this country, and on his return to England he published a pamphlet, in which, under date of Jan. 17, 1641, he relates concerning Taunton, " Master Hooke received ordination from the hands of one Master Bishop, a school-master, etc." Then, as now, the " school-master" was a person of considerable consequence in the community. This Bishop, with others, was deemed worthy to " lay hands" on " Master Hooke."

Mr. Winsor, in his "History of Duxbury," p. 228, makes mention of" an ancient freeman of Taunton" bearing the name of " Mr. John Bushop," having that " honorable prefix." Mr. Baylies, in his " History of the Plymouth Colony," Part II., p. 277, alludes to a " Mr. Boshop, interested in the first purchase of Taunton, whose ' rights' in 1675 were owned by Lieut. George Macey."

settlers," although his name is not catalogued, as also the names of other proprietors appear not to have been. (Part II., p. 265.) The Bushop, Boshop, or Bishop above named, Mr. John Dean, of the New England Genealogical Society, in 1854 (see "Genealogical Register," April, 1854), considered one and the same man, and also the John Bishop, who afterward went to Stamford, Conn. Mr. Baylies was of the opinion "he went to New Haven," which was not far from Stamford. (Part II., pp. 265 and 282.) Mr. Savage, in his "Genealogical Dictionary of New England," vol. i. p. 185, asserts the John Bishop, of Stamford, " had been in Taunton as early as 1640," and thinks he was before that in Dorchester, as he seems to have known Richard Mather, writing a Latin epitaph on him, which maybe found in the "Magnolia," cap. xx. of III., p. 131, signing himself " J. Episcopius," which Savage calls a pun on his name. All this agrees very well with what we know of the "young man of promise," as the historian of Stamford (p. 119) calls the ministerial supply, whom the church of that place sought and found in this region about the time Bishop is supposed to have left. Trumbull, in his " History of Connecticut," vol. i. p. 299, gives an interesting account of it in these words : " The church sent two of their members to seek them a minister. They traveled on foot to the eastward of Boston, where they found Mr. John Bishop, who left England before he had finished his academical studies, and who had completed his education in this country. They engaged him to go with them to Stamford. He traveled with them on foot so great a distance. The people were united in him, and he labored with them in the ministry nearly fifty years."

Rev. J. W. Alvord, in a historical address at Stamford (p. 17), gives the names of the " members of the church" who " traveled on foot to the eastward of Boston," - George Slason, Francis Bell. He also states, " Mr. Bishop carried his Bible under his arm through the wilderness to Stamford," which Bible, in 1841, was in the possession of Noah Bishop, one of his descendants. If one will look at a map of New England he will see that this journey " on foot through the wilderness" was from the extreme west of Connecticut to wellnigh the extreme east of Massachusetts, no small undertaking for even such resolute souls, and when you remember that their regular "wilderness" path from New Haven to Boston or Plymouth would lead through Taunton, you need not wonder, if finding John Bishop at the latter place and recommended by Hooke and Street, they were willing, footsore and weary, to stop short of either Boston or Plymouth, to accept of " the Taunton schoolmaster," a " young man of promise," who was also a student in theology with these eminent divines, "completing," as Trumbull tells us, "in this country the education" which had been begun in the motherland. "Eastward of Boston" may sufficiently describe the place, although it be south as well as east.

We have dwelt thus long on this case to establish, if nothing more, the probability that the first Taunton schoolmaster was the first Stamford minister.

The name of another schoolmaster of the town in the same century has just come to light in an old account-book of Thomas Leonard, found in a box hid away in some part of a chimney in the house of a grandson, lately taken down in East Taunton, near the Forge. The schoolmaster as well as the minister of that early clay was paid at public expense, as a public benefactor and a public necessity, in the currency of the time, - iron. Thomas Leonard kept the account with him in this book from 1683 to 1687. His name was James Green. It would be interesting if we could give other names, but the record is not at hand.

We know the provision which our fathers made for the education of their children. The colonial laws were very strict on this subject, and made it certain every town should have not only a minister but a schoolmaster. The town was one school district, owned its school property, and controlled the schools through a superintending committee. This was the system of school management for more than two centuries. It was not till 1826 the district system was established dividing each town into smaller districts, which should own their school-houses and other school property, and through a prudential committeeman select and contract with the teacher, and attend to supplies for the school. There were still a town school committee, to examine and indorse the teachers and with a general supervision, but their authority, of course, was weakened and their guiding influence less felt. There could not be that unity of action and wise method of administering the schools, with so many varying and sometimes conflicting parties to be consulted and provided for. Thus, in 1864, when the town became a city, the people were probably glad to return to the primitive municipal system of caring for the schools through one general committee, who subsequently appointed a superintendent to give all his time to the work.

This superintendent, Dr. W. W. Waterman, has recently written and published an able paper on the duty of a commonwealth to educate its children, which shows him to be thoroughly acquainted with his business, and possessed of a suitable enthusiasm. His school report also in 1876 is stored with much historical matter, from which I gladly draw for my present use.

His remarks on the classification of studies and the grading of the schools are to the point. Until eighteen years ago, the studies adjudged requisite to a common school education were all taught in each separate elementary school. Pupils began and ended their education in the same grade of school, except when they resorted to the classical or high school for more thorough instruction or further advancement; but whenever a school occupied two or more schoolrooms, or was taught by more than one teacher, the sections into which such school was divided were arranged with reference to the relative attainments of the pupils and an economical classification of instruction. These sections, constituting progressive stages, were commonly known as lower and higher departments, sometimes as primary and grammar departments. With the large growth of population at the Centre, it was thought that the philosophical principle of division of labor and concentration of ability which had been applied with benefit to instruction in the larger schools might be embodied advantageously in a more comprehensive system of school as well as class gradation. Accordingly, in 1858, there was a consolidation of school districts contiguous to the Green, containing nearly one-half of the pupils in town. Next the schools were classified in grades. A graduated, consecutive course of study was systematically arranged, and an appropriate part of the course was assigned to each grade. The classes of the higher or grammar grade occupied a portion of the large central building, the Cohannet Street school-house. A part of that building and the smaller school-houses were appropriated to the lower classes. The high school was permanently established in 1849, although previous to that time a similar school had been kept temporarily in different sections of the town. The present system of graduated classification and study - was instituted in 1862, and in 1871 the high school became a part of the system of school gradation, thus making three grades, known as primary, grammar, and high. The larger portion of the primary schools are in separate buildings, containing from one to six school-rooms each. Pupils are admitted at five years of age, and the course of instruction is designed for five years. The grammar schools have no age qualification, although ten or twelve years would be the usual age. The course of instruction comprises four steps, each requiring about one year. The primary and grammar courses together comprise the complete course of elementary instruction designed for all the pupils.

The high school constitutes the third and last grade of- the system. The course of instruction comprises four steps, each designed for one year. The studies are: English Language, including Grammar, Rhetoric, English Literature, Reading, Writing, Orthography, Orthoepy, Composition, Declamation; Latin, French, Greek ; Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Surveying, Elementary Mechanics, Practical Problems in Arithmetic, Natural Philosophy, Chemistry, Physiology, Physical Geography, Geology, Botany, Zoology, Astronomy; Intellectual Philosophy, Political Economy, and Constitution of the United States, General History, Ancient Geography, and History ; Free-Hand Drawing ; Vocal Music.

The good State of Massachusetts intends that its' citizens shall be educated, at least so as to read and write and master the common branches of education. Towards this end its legislation has tended, and every child between the ages of eight and fourteen must attend the free school provided at least twenty weeks of the year. This is considerably less than half the year, and it would seem, if their work was needed for the support of the family, thirty weeks should be enough for this purpose. So our legislators thought, and no employer of labor has the right to hire a child between these ages without a certificate of having attended school the year preceding such employment the specified time. This is called "compulsory education," and it is a credit to the commonwealth. The number of children in Taunton, according to the census of 1882, between the ages of eight and fourteen, was two thousand four hundred and forty-five. The number between those ages in the public schools for the school year ending Aug. 31. 1882, was 2387, showing that the law of the commonwealth is respected in the city of Taunton. The whole number of different pupils of every age in the public day schools for the same year was 4004, - 2112 males, 1892 females. The cost of the public schools for this year was $50,190.60.

The number of teachers employed iu the twentynine school-houses proper for the public day schools is seventy-six, with occasional temporary help. For the evening elementary school and evening drawing school in rooms hired for the purpose eight teachers are employed. In the Cohannet Street school, which is the largest grammar school, with a primary department, Mr. Clarence F. Boyden is employed as principal, at a salary of fourteen hundred dollars, with eleven assistants. At the Weir, Mr. Horatio D. Newton serves as principal, at a salary of twelve hundred dollars, with eight assistants. At Whittenton, Mr. Edward S. Hersey is principal; salary, eleven hundred dollars, with six assistants. The high school is in charge of Mr. Charles S. Moore ; salary, seventeen hundred dollars, with three assistants. The school is worthy of better school accommodations than are at present provided, but in the near future a high school building, which will be a credit to the city and a comfort to the scholars, is certain. The principals of the high school, running back from the present, have been as follows: John P. Svvinerton, Laban E. Warren, Charles P. Gorely, Silas D. Presbrey, William E. Fuller, John Ruggles, William L. Gage, Ozias C. Pitkin, Justin Field, Frederic Crafts.

The school could hardly be called a fixture, but rather a foot-ball under Messrs. Crafts and Field, for, as the writer well remembers, it was not only a movable institution, but much spoken against, as the records of the town-meetings from 1838 onward will show. Under the wise administration of Mr. Pitkin, however, from 1849 to LS54, who was an eminent educator, it grew in favor with the people, and they at length allowed it to locate and live.

No history of the educational interests of Taunton would be complete without the Bristol Academy, which had its beginning in the last century (in 1792). It is a pleasure to acknowledge my indebtedness for material to the careful research of my friend, Mr. Charles W. Hartshorn, a long time secretary of the board of trustees, from whose notes I am permitted to draw. The academy had its origin in an agreement to form the "Taunton School Society," to pay certain sums named, and to abide by some ten rules of agreement carefully set forth. There were fourteen subscribers to this agreement, men prominent in Taunton in the latter part of the last century, James Tisdale heading the list with a subscription of thirty pounds, and John Bowers closing it with a like sum, Samuel Leonard the same, and others less, in all amounting to seven hundred and ten pounds.

On the 30th of June, 1792, on petition of David Cobb and others, Walter Spooner, William Baylies, David Cobb, Elisha May, James Williams, Apollos Leonard, Seth Padelford, Samuel Fales, Samuel Leonard, Simeon Tisdale, James Tisdale, Joseph Tisdale, and Jonathan Cobb were appointed trustees of Bristol Academy and incorporated under that name, " for the purpose of promoting piety, morality, and patriotism, and for the education of youth, etc." The first meeting of the trustees was held at Josiah Crocker's, Sept. 21, 1792. James Williams was chosen secretary ; Walter Spooner, president; David Cobb, vice-president; Seth Padelford, treasurer. A committee was chosen to " form a coad of bye-laws," and another to provide or point out a suitable piece of ground to build upon, and each trustee directed to exert himself to obtain subscriptions.

From this date there were a number of meetings and votes, showing the work to be in progress, until March 7, 1796, when a committee was appointed " to enquire and procure an Instructor," and another " to make enquiry respecting boarding scholars." The following action was also taken: "Whereas Bristol Academy was promoted and established principally by the exertions of David Cobb, Esq., a late trustee of said academy ; therefore voted unanimously that the thanks of the trustees of said academy be presented to the said David Cobb, Esq., for his great and friendly exertions in favor of said academy, and that he be informed by the secretary that the trustees do consider him entitled to the honor of being the patron and the founder of the same."

The first meeting of the trustees held at the academy appears to have been July 4, 1796, when "Miss Sally Cady was chosen preceptress." The academy tvas formally opened July 18th, when an address was delivered by the preceptor, Mr. Doggett, which by request of the trustees was afterwards printed. No other mention is made of the opening in the records, but it is otherwise learned that Deacon Jeremiah Sumner, of Taunton, composed his famous "Ode 011 Science" for that occasion. The building then dedicated stood nearer the northwest corner of the academy lot than the present one, and fronting towards Summer Street. It answered a good educational purpose for more than half a century, when it was sold and removed to Broadway, just north of the Catholic Church, where it is still occupied as a tenementhouse.

At a meeting of the trustees, Feb. 1, 1849, a committee appointed "to suggest improvements" speak of the academy building as " not so well adapted to its uses as it ought to be." Aug. 14, 1850, the preceptor, in his report, urgently asks for a new building, stating the number of pupils to be " one hundred and eleven." George A. Crocker was appointed committee to procure subscriptions. Feb. 19, 1851, Mr. Crocker reported a list of subscriptions amounting to five thousand eight hundred and ninety-five dollars, a Tisdale again, this time Samuel T., standing at the head, with Mr. Crocker himself, for one thousand dollars each, and a committee was chosen to erect the new building. " 1852, August 25th, the board met at the new academy at 10 A.M. to witness the exercises of dedication. At 10.15 the exercises began. Rev. Mr. Maltby made a few introductory remarks. A hymn was sung by a select choir, led by William B. Crandell. Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Maltby. The secretary, Rev. Mr. Bingham, read a short historical sketch of the institution. The ' Ode on Science,' written for the first dedication, was then sung. Next an address on classical education was delivered by Professor C. C. Felton, of Harvard University, and a hymn, written for the occasion by Mr. Hodges Reed, closed the performances."

At a special meeting of the trustees, Aug. 19, 1800, a committee was appointed "to inquire of Mr. Doggett the usual emolument of his office as preceptor." An old paper is found, in the handwriting of Mr. Doggett, which gives the number of pupils for four years, the amount received for tuition, etc. The average of pupils for the first year was 94 ; the second, 84; the third, 50; the fourth, 50. During the first year of Mr. Bellows' service as preceptor the number of pupils for the first term was 52; the second, 76; the third, 66; the fourth, 80. At the meeting of the trustees, Nov. 19, 1852, at the close of the first term in the new building, it is recorded "the whole number of names on the register of the fall term, 148."

1871, to July 3, 1874; Arthur Driver, from Aug. 12, 1874, to July 11, 1877; J. C. Barlett, from July 18, 1877, to June 25, 1880 ; Frederic Farnsworth, -from July 2, 1880, the present preceptor, under whose management the academy is in a flourishing condition. His assistants are George F. Chace, A.M., Miss Anna L. Bonney, Miss Julia A. Sampson, primary department.

" The present year," writes Preceptor Farnsworth, "is the most successful in point of numbers and income from tuition for the past quarter of a century. Average number attending, about ninety-three; receipts, about four thousand dollars. These figures include the primary department. About one-third of the pupils come from out of the city, representing some ten different towns. Nearly a quarter of the pupils are fitting for college. We expect to send six young men to college at the end of the present school year, besides several others who expect to take preliminary examination."

It would be an interesting list of names, could we find it, of those who have been the educators of the children and young people of Taunton during the two centuries and a half nearly of its history. To say that the generations of men and women have been largely fashioned by these hundreds and perhaps thousands of school-teachers is not speaking extravagantly. Teaching has taken its rank as it should among the " learned" professions. Normal schools educate the educators. Republics are sometimes charged with being " ungrateful," but faithful, life-long teachers are remembered with gratitude by their pupils of " long ago." I have heard the names of Taunton teachers spoken of with affection, and familiar as household words, - "Ma'am Wilbur, Mrs, Barney, Harriet Prentice, Mercy Crossnian, the Tillinghast sisters, - Fanny, Mary, and Joanna, - Frederick Crafts, Elias Morse." These represent the teachers of both sexes of a past generation, who have long since ceased from their labors. There are more recent names, some of them among the living, which represent an influence beginning with early childhood and entering into the warp and woof, the. texture of an endless being. Such names are George C. Wilson, A. A. Leach, Luthera H. Leach, Eliza Drake, May G. Reed, Ann D. Reed, Emma Payson, Ellen Lusconib.

Mr. Alvin B. Winch was the first teacher of vocal music in the public schools, commencing about 1870. His son, William I., and brother, John F., are eminent vocalists in Boston. Mr. Winch was distinguished in his profession. On his decease, in March, 1881, Mr. Milton R. French, of rare musical ability, was chosen his successor, and still teaches.

It was a felicitous thought of some of "the boys" of twenty years ago, including the names of the present mayor, city treasurer, register of deeds, and representative business men of this and other cities, to send to one of these teachers, Mr. A. A. Leach, a gold-headed cane, with an affectionate note, to which he thus responded:

" These words and the names of so many of my former scholars recall to mind the time when we, as teacherand pupils, sat together in the old school-room ; and if the room was not so spacious or the furniture so elegant, perhaps the lessons there learned were as good a preparation for the battle of life as those received under more favorable circumstances at the present day.

"It is very gratifying to me, I assure you, to know that after the lapse of so many years you have not forgotten your old schoolmaster. And, while I am well aware of my many imperfections as your teacher, I comfort myself with the reflection that it was always my earnest endeavor to do my duty faithfully and impartially.

" And now, my dear friends, I again tender to you, one and all, my most sincere thanks for your kind remembrance, and my best wishes for your present and future well-being.

"To Horatio L. Cu shin an, Henry W.Colby, Joseph E.Wilbar, Edward A. Presbiey, Bowers Wood, George H. Tanswell, Charles A. Morse, Henry B. Washburn, Daniel H.Mason, George A. Washburn, Baylies W 1, Gordon H. Godfrey."

were cut by crude machines compared with the present, and the heading was done by hand ; the nails being taken out in job lots by farmers for that purpose. It was a slow process, but soon after machines were invented for heading by a jerk of the foot and blow of a hammer. A few years later machines were made by Rogers and Odeon, which greatly improved the process of manufacture by cutting and heading the nail at one operation. Melvin Otis, of VVareham, invented a machine, improved by Jesse Reed, of Marshfield, in 1815, which made still further improvements, superseding the former by gripping and spring nippers to complete the heading as well as pointing of nails. These machines are in use at the present day in all nail establishments. There was some controversy as to whom the merit of the patent belonged, but both have shared the honor and benefit.

In 1807 the above firm added another story to the Whittenton Nail-Mill, and put in machinery for spinning cotton yarn. This was packed in skeins and taken out by farmers' families within a radius of one to fifteen miles, to be woven into cloth by the domestic hand- loom and shuttle generally in vogue in those days, which gave employment to hundreds of women at their looms.

In November, 1811, the yarn and nail-mill was burned and the machines destroyed. The enterprising proprietors immediately erected another factory on the same site, seventy by thirty, three stories, with mule-room attic. It was said that the timber growing two months before was converted into lumber for the factory ready for the machinery for spinning cotton yarn. It was then war embargo time, and cotton fabrics were in quick demand.

A few years later some forty power-looms were added, of the Slater construction, recently imported by patterns from England, and this was the first mill in this region, it was said, which made good cloth by the power-looms. Barney Lincoln, now an octogenarian of eighty-five, was an overseer in the spinning-room in 1818, and Elijah Caswell, since an ingenious tack mechanic, now in his seventy-fifth year, but then a lad of ten years, worked in that mill.

Meanwhile another nail-mill had been built on the east bank of the dam, the site of the old saw-mill of a century before, a short distance above the present office of the Whittenton Mills Company. An avenue, with dwellings thereon, led up to the mill, where nails were made in 1821 by the modern machines superseding the former slow process. Elisha Gilmore had charge of the mill and the previous one destroyed by fire for eighteen years. Albert Field, Warren Burbank, and others were employed, and made their first nails there by the modern process; the former has passed away, the latter is a veteran of seventy-eight. The nail business was relinquished over fifty yens ago, and the old buildings then occupied by that department have been removed some distance to the rear, and are used for storage by the company.

Whittenton Mills. - In 1824 the Whittenton Mills became incorporated with the property of the Taunton Manufacturing Company, but under the management of James K. Mills & Co., of Boston. In 1831-32 a new stone mill was built a short distance east of the former, mill may now be seen segmented between the large brick structures more recently erected. The property remained under the control of the Taunton .Manufacturing Company until May, 1835, when Mills & Co. severed their connection, and resumed proprietorship of the mills and appurtenances.

In September, 1836, the late Willard Lovering, a practical manufacturer, was called to the agency of Whittenton Mills, and becoming joint proprietor, made many improvements in the manufacture of goods. In January, 1839, the older mill referred to was destroyed by fire. A building for mule-spinning now occupies the site and raceway of the old gristmill and forge of two hundred years ago, and where stood the original nail- and yarn-mill of 1811, and subsequent cotton- factory built by Crocker, Bush & Richmond seventy years ago.

The legitimate manufacturing business of the last proprietors had been successful and prosperous under Mr. Lovering's management; but James K. Mills & Co., of Boston, having embarked in larger enterprises elsewhere, which proved unfortunate in the tidal wave of disaster of 1857, they yielded to the pressure and closed their business.

In 1858, the estate having been settled, Mr. Lovering, associated with his sons, purchased the franchise, property, privilege, dwellings, and appurtenances of the Whittenton Mills Corporation, and under their management commenced a career of improvement and enlargement of unprecedented record in manufacturing enterprise. A few years before the death of the senior proprietor, Willard Lovering, which occurred Dec. 15, 1875, his sons, Charles L., William C, and Henry Morton Lovering, succeeded to the proprietorship of Whittenton INI ills, which now includes one of the largest and most capacious establishments in New England.

It includes some twenty substantial brick and stone buildings two to four stories, besides ten or twelve smaller ones, comprising four hundred thousand square feet, or nine acres of flooring. The model weaving shop occupies fifty-five thousand square feet, over an acre and a quarter of flooring, and contaius in one room, lighted by electric lamps, nearly one thousand looms, and over three hundred in the room beneath. The machinery in these large structures is moved by five Corliss engines aggregating twelve hundred horse-power, in addition to the water-wheels of two hundred and fifty horse-power, requiring in the establishment the consumption of about eight thousand tons of coal, and consuming about eight thousand hales of cotton annually in producing the great variety of textures of fabrics of innumerable styles, - cottonades, ginghams, dress goods, fancytickings, shirtings, canton flannels, denims, etd, - providing employment for eleven hundred hands, a large portion of whom reside in the dwellings belonging to the company, of which there are over a hundred, and two hundred tenements, comprising a large village of residences. The yard exclusively of their manufactories occupies an area of fifteen acres, and about eighty acres, conveniently laid out in avenues, is the area for the dwelling-houses and appurtenances, a vast change from the modest Whittenton Mills village of half a century ago. The Old Colony Railroad curves directly through the village a convenient distance from the manufactories, affording ample facilities for delivering coal, cotton, and other materials, and transporting thence the thousands of cases of goods annually which find a ready sale in all the markets of the country.

Britanniaville. - The location of this prosperous village of industrial enterprise on Mill River, half a mile below Whittenton, was occupied a century and a half ago by a grist-mill, situated on the south of Britannia Street dam, and a saw-mill a few rods below, owned by Capt. James Leonard3 and others. He conveyed his portion of the privilege and mills in 1776, for one hundred and sixty pounds, to John Adam, an enterprising merchant of Taunton, who built a dam, rolling- and slitting-mill, some distance below the above mills, by Danforth Street crossing. There was also a small saw-mill and fulling-mill above this bridge. The enterprise of Mr. Adam did not prove successful. In 1791 he disposed-of the slittingmill, dwelling-house adjoining, privilege and appurtenances (a portion of which he had previously purchased of Abiather and Samuel Leonard) for three hundred and thirty-seven pounds.

The purchasers were Josiah Dean, of Raynharn, and Samuel Leonard, who continued the business several years. Deacon Lemuel Leonard had charge of the mill where Russia and Swedes iron, imported in bars, was rolled and slit into rods, from which wrought or hammered nails were made in scores of small shops, or smithies, in the surrounding towns many miles distant. Messrs. Dean and Leonard finally abandoned the iron-works as an unprofitable enterprise. Nothing now remains to indicate its existence but the foundation and dam, submerged by back water from the Hopewell Mills below, which may be seen at low water at said crossing. The gristmill above referred to was attended a hundred years ago and over by Abram Lincoln, and being a devoutly religious man, with his band of friends held meetings in the mill, humblest of all places, except a stable, for worship. Mr. Lincoln removed to Tiverton, R. I., and died there. These mills were finally owned by Horatio and Gustavus Leonard, until they gave place to the extension of the buildings of the Britannia Works.

Samuel and William A. Crocker, Sr., were copartners. It is a well-founded tradition that, as the former mill below had not been a lucrative investment, when the latter was completed Mr. Leonard remarked to a friend, " I hope well of this enterprise," thus originating the historical name of " Hopewell" to the near locality.

In this mill Messrs. Leonard & Crockers prosecuted a large business in rolling plates and slitting rods, which were packed in bundles and taken out to be hammered into nails by hundreds of farmers and mechanics, as before mentioned, who had their little shops in the surrounding towns. The rolling-mill of that day was of crude construction, - the rolls set in a massive wooden frame and gearing of wood, the furnace of huge dimensions, of sufficient capacity for a ton of iron and a cord of pine wood to a heat, requiring five men to run four heats per day; while the iron was heating the men bundled the rods of the previous heat ready for delivery to nail-makers.

After the death of William A. Crocker, the junior partner, which occurred Sept. 20, 1805, and that of Samuel Leonard, the senior, in 1808, Crocker, Bush & Richmond were successors to that business. Capt. William Danforth, who formerly owned the State Hospital farm, had charge of the mill, and his son, Horatio L. Danforth, employed there lost an arm, (referred to in a notice of Mr. Danforth in the Bristol bar of Taunton). The plates and rods for the Whitteuton Nail-Works were rolled and slit there; the mill was afterwards used by Crocker Brothers & Co. many years for rolling their copper and zinc plates, also for making copper shells, or calico rolls, a few years previous to the erection of their works at Weir village. The old slitting-mill was purchased by Benjamin Ingell, 3,nd converted into a furnace for the casting of small wares. After the death of the latter, the building was sold to Reed & Barton, who removed the last vestige of the old mill except the dam.

Britannia Works. - The britannia and platingworks of Reed & Barton, which occupies the site and privilege of those ancient mills, is the oldest establishment of the kind in the United States. The britannia business was commenced in Taunton nearly sixty years ago by Isaac Babbitt, in a small shop rear of his watch-maker's store, now City Square, its location about midway of the present Union Block, where he experimented with block-tin and other metals. Being a very ingenious mechanic, Mr. Babbitt entertained the idea that many articles of britannia ware for domestic use could be manufactured in Taunton instead of importing them from Europe, and he accordingly was successful in his experiments. He entered into copartnership with William W. Crossman, another practical mechanic, and leased a room and power of Roswell Ballard in his fulling-mill (formerly the elder James Sproat's snuff-mill), below the dam on Spring Street, and commenced the business in a small way.

Babbitt & Crossman there produced, in 1824, the first britannia articles manufactured in the United States, inkstands, shaving-boxes, looking-glass frames, etc., furnishing stores with a stock of these useful American goods. The ware for tea-pots and other britannia articles was afterwards rolled in plates. Nathaniel Leonard, in his shop on Weir Street, over fifty years ago made the first set of rolls for that use. These rolls may now be seen in Reed & Barton's works, and there was first made the first wrought metal goods. Specimens of the Babbitt & Crossman manufacture may still be occasionally found in use. They received awards for their productions at several of the Bristol County exhibitions, and their success in competing with foreign manufactures in this small way. They soon required larger quarters for their business.

A brick manufactory was built in 1827 for their use on School Street, and they removed from their more humble quarters. The location is now " Leo's building," and was once occupied by William Mason, in making his first " ring speeder," and afterwards by Dixon, Atwood & Vickery, in developing their crucible business. In 1828, William Allen West and Zephaniah A. Leonard associated with Mr. Crossman, under the firm of Crossman, West & Leonard, Mr. Babbitt remaining as metallurgist. All these persons connected together in the early days of the britannia business have passed away, Mr. Crossman, the last one, about a year ago.1

In the above manufactory, Henry G. Reed and Charles E. Barton, about seventeen years of age, commenced their apprenticeship in 1S28, in the room of which William W. Porter, the retired veteran britannia worker, now in his eighty-sixth year, had charge as foreman. The company increased their business, manufacturing coffee- and tea-pots and many domestic articles, but perhaps owing to inexperience in the combination of metals in the infancy of the business they were not fully successful in securing the market.

To obtain a more economical power in rolling and finishing their goods, in 1830 the company erected a brick manufactory on the west side of Mill River, opposite Leonard & Crocker's slitting-mill (the oldest of the present cluster of buildings now comprising Reed & Barton's works, but much enlarged), and soon organized the "Taunton Britannia Manufacturing Company," and enlarged their business. After a few years of unsuccessful experimenting to compete in the great markets with the productions of skilled labor of foreign manufacturers, the company suspended business and disposed of their stock, leaving a por-

1 Isaac Babbitt, after retiring from the Britannia Works, was a number of years superintendent of Alger's foundry, at s..ntli Huston, ami produced the first brass cannon cast in the United Stiles. He was Also Inrenter of the well-known "Babbitt metal.'' A man ..f remarkably tiou of their manufacturing tools in the custody of their former apprentices, Reed and Barton. These young men, uniting their industry, ability, and practical experience in the business, with a small capital and an agent, hired a portion of the building and power in 1835. They labored patiently under the ineffective discouragements of their predecessors, but they experimented successfully. Associating with them, alter two years' trial, Gustavus Leonard, they purchased the buildings, implements, and privilege, enlarged their business, making a new departure, under the firm of Leonard, Reed A: Barton, employing a dozen or more hands, still laboring themselves at the bench, Mr. Leonard as the outside business man.

With Mr. H. G. Reed as metallurgist their wares gradually obtained a high reputation ; their efforts were no longer a doubtful experiment; their "metal had the right ring." Their wares were exhibited at the exhibition of the American Institute of New York in 1838.

During that exhibition a prominent member, Charles H.Delavan, sent several pieces of the Reed & Barton ware, with the same number of English manufacture to Mr. Wakeman, the secretary of the institute, accompanied by a note, saying, " I am satisfied that the Taunton ware will bear a favorable comparison with any in Europe for neatness and elegance of finish, and I beg leave to express my firm convic- .tion that if such specimens of American manufactures are properly encouraged it will lead in a few years to the entire independence of foreign nations for articles of necessity and use, and I trust the time has arrived when the experiment should be made." In a postscript Mr. Delavan compared the cost of each set of ware, - Taunton ware, coffee-pot, $2.65; sugar- and cream-pots, $2 40 ; tea-pot, $1.78 ; total, $6.83. English ware (similar patterns, no better quality), coffee-pot, $4.06; sugar- and cream-pots, $2.57; tea-pot, $2.53; total, $9.16, a savin- of $2.33 in favor of the Taunton set, which, he added, " every American ought to be proud of." A gold medal was awarded the latter, and the reputation of the Taunton ware established. That ware was exhibited and letter written forty-live years ago when the works were in their infancy. Since that time the company have invested half a million of dollars, made extensive improvements from time to time in the manufacture, quality, and style of their goods, which have entirely superseded foreign wares in the leading markets of this country, and found their way in successful competition in many of the markets of the Old World.

After the decease of Mr. Leonard in April, 1846, Henry II. Fish purchased his interest, and succeeded him in joint proprietorship in the firm-name of Reed & Barton. In 1859, George Brabrook, who had been intimately associated with the business transactions of the firm, was admitted as a joint partner. After the death of Mr. Barton, Sept. 13, 1867, Messrs. Reed, Brabrook & Fish purchased the interest of their late associate, and became sole proprietors, still retaining the widely-known firm-name of Reed & Barton. After the decease of Mr. Fish, occurring Jan. 13, 1882, his sons, George H. and Frank L. Fish, succeeded to the management of their father's interest in the firm and business.

We have in the foregoing sketched one of our leading industries from its humble origin in that little workshop to Deacon Ballard's mill, more than half a century ago, thence to the room where Reed & Barton first worked in metal, to their present manufactory of vast proportions, forming a cluster of sixteen spacious and substantial brick buildings, erected from year to year, as the exigencies of their increasing business required, from one to five hundred feet in length, three to four stories in height, also a dozen lesser appendage buildings, all comprising two hundred and sixty thousand square feet, or about six acres of flooring, and covering an area of territory within their yard of ten acres. Besides their supply of water-power, an engine of three hundred and another of one hundred horse-power moves the costly scientific machinery of that great hive of industry, thus furnishing employment of eight to nine hundred persons, including some of the most skilled artists in the metal line in the world, many having been upon the rolls twenty, some thirty, years, while Deacon Barnas L. Burbank, Luther Babbitt, N. Bradford Leonard, William W. Thayer, and their senior book-keeper, Alfred Brabrook (now a salesman), over forty years, and Nathan Lawrence, superintendent, J. A. B. Woodward, John C. Macdonald, Peleg Francis, v Charles H. White, Abel Palmer, and Edwin Reed, nearly that length of time, in their employ. Such has been the success of their experimental improvements in metals the past twenty years, since britannia ware was their chief production, that they now manufacture annually hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of the richest patterns in nickel (or German) silver electro-plated, gold-lined ware of rare artistic designs, and manifold descriptions, to be found in any market of the world.

A visit to the departments of this model establishment, and an inspection of the interesting processes of production of the many articles in use in every family residence or humble cottage in the land, will confirm all we have said of its merit as an ornament to the industrial achievements of our city and county.

Hopewell Mills. - About a hundred years ago, a third of a mile below the old grist-mill dam (now Britanniaville), on Mill River, was another dam, and a small "cutting-mill," owned by Samuel Leonard,1 where, a few years later, Joseph Burbank, with a few ancient machines and two or three men, cut nails, such as were headed by hand in those days of simple machinery. It was said to be the first nail-cutting mill in Taunton. The site had no special history ; there was a small waterfall and a rocky ravine. It was the site of the present Hopewell Mills and surrounding buildings. Charles Richmond, with his irresistible energy and enterprise, conceived the plan of building cotton-mills there, in his own emphatic words, "To make Hopewell shine with industry."

He purchased the old cutting-mill dam and privilege, with surrounding land, ravine, and rocks, of the heirs of Samuel Leonard. Then he purchased the old Leonard & Dean slitting-mill, and saw-mill dam and privilege above, to enable him to make back flowage without damage, and then raised the dam ten feet. With the aid and experience of Silas Shepard and Samuel Crocker he erected a cotton-factory (stone and brick) one hundred feet in length, completing it the season of 1818. The basement was a machine-shop and nail-factory, and in the upper stories looms and cotton machinery. In 1821 another mill was built, near the dam, about the same size, both containing about one hundred and fifty looms. Some years later an addition was built, connecting the Mills, for a weave-shop. Silas Shepard had the superintendence, until he left for building his Oakland Mill in 1827, and was succeeded by Ezekiel B. Leonard and Elisha Copeland. Elias Strange had charge of the machineand nail-shop before he removed to the brick mill. Horatio Leonard & Co. built a small rolling-mill at the west end of the dam, under the brow of the hill (now hospital farm), which was operated a few years, when the machinery was disposed of.

This mill property was merged in the capital stock of the Taunton Manufacturing Company in 1823, and was managed in that interest until 1843, when, after a brief control by William A. F. Sproat, it came into the possession of Cyrus Lothrop in 1844, for about ten years thereafter. After the accidental death of Mr. Lothrop, May 21, 1854, the property, by will, passed into the hands of Charles Albro, who had been superintendent nearly ten years previously. Mr. Albro has been the manufacturer of various cotton fabrics about twenty-eight years.

In June, 1883, a new arrangement was made in the proprietorship of Hopewell Mills. A company was organized with Charles Albro a third, and Porte W. Hewins two-thirds interest in the property ; Enoch Hewins as superintendent. They have two hundred and twenty-five looms, employ about one hundred and fifty persons, and manufacture jeans, satteens, and shirtings. -

Over sixty years have passed away since the indomitable spirit and energy of Charles Richmond originated the enterprise of the Hopewell Mills, the Brick Mills, the Calico Printing- Works, and other lesser enterprises, which have made Taunton what it is in prosperity and wealth, furnished employment for thousands, built up hundreds of comfortable homes, and made many wealthy. But he had not the million reserved to carry through his great projects amid the reverses and misfortunes which beset many human undertakings, and his remains now rest without a tablet to indicate the spot where they were interred in the far-off land whither he went in 1849, hoping to repair his fortunes. Charles Richmond deserves a monument at home contributed from the wealth he was instrumental in building and making.

Brick Mill. - This manufacturing location, on Mill River, is one of ancient origin, almost coeval with the settlement of Taunton. It was a portion of the property sold by Bartholomew Tipping, a merchant, to Rev. Samuel Dan forth soon after his settlement in 1688, as the fourth minister of Taunton, for his homestead. He died in 1727. He had a grist-mill at the dam, and a malt-house, which he gave in his will to his son Samuel, including the house he resided in and surrounding land.

In 1760, Samuel Dan forth, Jr., sold to Thomas Cobb, of Attleborough, his " new dwelling-house, grist-mill, fulling-mill, dam, and appurtenances, with ponding and flowing, with the utensils of both mills and four acres of land, for four hundred and sixtyfive pounds." Capt. Thomas Cobb was the father of Gen. David Cobb. He returned to Taunton in 1762, and was probably engaged in the iron business in Attleborough with Thomas Leonard. He built a rolling- and slitting-mill at the Danforth dam, and followed the business until his death in 1779, leaving the mills and privilege to his son, Jonathan Cobb. He also engaged in the iron business, and died in 1801, leaving the iron-works and mills to his widow, who gave the property to her son, Jonathan B. Cobb. In 1803 the latter sold the mills and privilege to Samuel Fales, whose son, Sam. Cook Fales, carried on the iron business a few years. Job King occupied the old Danforth Fulling-Mill for cutting nails several years with the original machine.

Crocker and Richmond, who were engaged in several large manufacturing enterprises, including Whittenton and Hopewell Mills, and the calico printing establishment, purchased a large portion of the site of the Cobb Mills and privilege, and, after clearing away the old mills and appurtenances, erected in 1823 the Brick Mill for the manufacture of printing cloths for the new calico-works. This mill was for several years under the superintendence of Jesse Hartshorn, and the machine-shop in the basement was in charge of Elias Strange, now the senior mechanic in this vicinity.

Arrangements were matured by Crocker and Richmond, in 1823, with Boston capitalists, to organize a large company, and the Brick Mill property was merged in that, called the Taunton Manufacturing Company, and remained so incorporated until 1834, when a division was made, and the Brick Mill reverted to Mr. Richmond and his associate. Mr. Crocker. They continued the business of manufacturing cotton goods and machinery until the memorable panic and

After a few years of trusteeship and liquidation of the large estate of Crocker and Richmond, the latter repurchased the brick mill property and resumed business. From 1837 to 1843, Robert S. Dean had charge of the manufacturing of cotton, and Leach and Keith the machinery department. After they retired, the business was in charge of Mr. Dean and Lovett Morse, a capitalist, for a few years.

In 1845, Mr. Richmond built the new brick mill in rear of the old one for the manufacture of cotton, ginghams, etc. Experiments were made with a new carpet loom, which, after a few years' trial, was transferred to Thompsonville, Conn., and proved a remunerative success. The old brick mill was burned in 1845, then in charge of his son Edward, with serious loss to Mr. Richmond, and rebuilt in 1846. Two years later the entire property passed out of Mr. Richmond's control, and in 1849 he went to California, where he died December 19th of the same year.

In 1848 a new company was organized, with Nahum Stetson, president, and R. S. Dean, agent and treasurer, with a capital of $100,000, called the Dean Cotton and Machine Company, for the manufacture of cotton cloth and machinery.

In 1876 a new company was organized, called the Taunton Cotton and Machine Company, with a capital of $65,500; Nathan S. Williams, president ; F. B. Dean, managing agent and treasurer, which continued several years. About four years ago another company was organized, called the Park Mill Company, with the same officers, having control of the cotton manufacturing department only, the machineshop still remaining under the former name. The new brick mill was leased a few years ago to L. A. Rounds, nail and tack manufacturer.