Westport Town (part 2 of 8)

Christopher Borden

Christopher Borden, son of Abraham and Phebe (Barker) Borden, was born Oct. 20, 1815, on the lands possessed by four or five generations of his ancestors in Tiverton, R. I., now Westport, Mass. (For ances- tral history of Borden family see biography of Cook Borden, Fall River.) The line of descent to Christopher from Richard, the emigrant, is Richard1, John2, Richard8, Thomas4, Christopher5, Jonathan'5, Abraham7, Christopher8. Thomas Borden (fourth generation) gave the Cranberry Neck property with other woodlands to his son Christopher, who became a farmer there, and probably built the first saw-mill on the site where stands the mill of his descendant Christopher. He was a man of respectability and substance, owning much land and many slaves, married Hannah, daughter of Stephen and Penelope Borden, Dec. 24, 1748, and died suddenly, an old man. His son Jonathan, born May 5, 1761, married Elizabeth Bow en, and had Hannah, Abraham, Phebe, Thomas, Rhoda, Isaac, and Elizabeth. He was a farmer and mill-owner, held some offices, and was social, honest, straightforward, and always lull of business, which he uniformly conducted to a successful issue. He died May 19, 1848. Abraham was born near the present residence of Christopher, July 20, 1792, and always lived on the farm where he commenced housekeeping. He was a man of quiet and undemonstrative nature, yet strongly fixed in his opinions. He never cared for office, but steadily kept the even tenor of his way, undisturbed by political turmoil. By purchase and by legacy he received from his father two hundred and seventy acres of land. He was engaged in lumbering in addition to farming. He married Phebe, daughter of Lemuel and Maria (Tripp) Barker, of Dartmouth, and had three children, - Christopher, Rhoda (Mrs. Abiel Davis), and Maria R., who died one year after her marriage to Capt. Weston Jenney. Mrs. Borden was a Friend, and Mr. Borden attended their meetings regularly, although not a member of the society. He died Oct. 28, 1864.

Christopher Borden (eighth generation) was educated at common schools and the Friends' school at Providence, R. I. He remained with his father after returning from school, and became associated with and finally succeeded him in charge of the farm and lumbering interests, which latter has been somewhat extensive in the departments of cedar and shingles. He married Lucy H., daughter of Peter and Sarah S. (Howland) Davis, Feb. 11, 1839. She was a native of Westport, Mass., and born Feb. 11, 1818. They have had six children, - Jonathan, married Mary M. (Snell) Estes, has seven children, and lives on the old homestead ; Alice A., married George H. Hicks, has five children, and lives in Fall River; Mary E., married Isaac W. Howland, of Little Compton, R. I., and has one child; Othniel T., a youth of bright promise, who was accidentally and fatally shot in his twentieth year, Jan. 22, 1866 ; Edwin, married Mary E. Young, has five children, and lives near his parents ; Phebe S., married Arthur D. Cornell, has two children, and lives in Fall River.

Source changes here: from History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, by Hurd, Duane Hamilton, [from Old Catalog] Ed, published 1883; 21,788 words in this source stream.

Westport Town

honored town of Dartmouth, southerly by Buzzard's Bay, and westerly by the towns of Tiverton and Little Compton in the State of Rhode Island.

The territory embraced within the bounds of the present town of Westport formed a portion of the old town of Dartmouth until 1787, when it was incorporated as a separate town under its present name.

The Indian name of the town was Acoaxet, and it was early settled by a hardy, industrious, and intelligent class, who have left the impress of the sterling New England character upon their descendants.

The original bounds of Westport have been enlarged by the addition of a portion from Dartmouth Feb. 25, 1793, and still another addition from the same town March 4, 1805, and a part of Portsmouth, R. I., was also annexed in 1861.

Documentary History. - The following is a record of the first town-meeting, with names of officers elected, together with other interesting votes, among which appear the votes concerning the location and building of the first town-house, which seemed to have given the good people of the town considerable vexation :

" In compliance with a Warrant issued from Benjamin Russel, Esq., Directing William Almy to Notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Westport to meet Together at some suitable place in said Town to choose all such Town Oflicers as Towns are required to choose at their annual Town-meetings in the mouth of March or April annually, and a Committee to settle with the Towns of Dartmouth and New Bedford agreeable to a late act of the General Court, for incorporating said Town of Westport.

" The inhabitants of said Town of Westport who were qualified by law to vote, being legally Notified and Warned by the said William Almy, assembled at the Dwelling house of William GifTord, in said Westport, on Monday the Twentieth day of August, 1787, at ten of the clock, a.m.

" 2. Abner Brownell was chosen Town Clerk for the year ensuing, and was duly sworn by William Davis, Justice Pacis, to authorize him to otiiciate in said office.

" 3. William Almy, Richard Kirby, and Edward Borden were chosen Select Men for the year ensuing, and took and subscribed the Oath of Allegiance to authorize them to officiate in said office. Before me Abner Brownell, Town Clerk.

"4. Richard Kirby was chosen an Assessor for the year ensuing, and was duly sworn, to authorize him to officiate in said office. Before me, Abner Brownell, Town Clerk.

" 5. Thomas Tripp, Stephen Cornell, and Pardon Brownell were chosen fence-viewers for the year ensuing, and were duly engaged to authorize them to

" Abner Brownell was chosen Town Treasurer for the year ensuing, and was duly sworn to authorize him to officiate in said office. By William Davis, Justice Pacis.

" 7. Stephen Davis Carpenter and Barjonas Devol were chosen Surveyors of lumber for the year ensuing, and were duly engaged to authorize them to officiate in said office. Before me, Abner Brownell, Town Clerk.

" 16. Benjamin Davis, Innkeeper, Israel Brightman, Jonathan Davis, Wanton Case, Jonathan Taber, Capt. Sylvanus White, George Lawton, Job Almy, Pardon Brownell, Samuel Willcox, Peleg Cornell, Junr., and Lemuel Milk were chosen Surveyors of Highways for the year ensuing.

" 17. It was voted to have three men chosen for a committee to settle with Dartmouth and New Bedford agreeable to the Act of Incorporation of said Town of Westport.

" 19. Lastly it was voted for this meeting to be adjourned to Thursday Sept. 20, 1787, at one of the Clock P.M. to be holden at the dwelling house of Joseph Giflford, Inn-keeper."

"In compliance with a Warrant Issued from the Selectmen of the Town of Westport, Requiring any or either of the Constables of said Town to notify and warn the inhabitants thereof to meet at the dwelling house of William Giffi^rd in said Town on Thursday, Nov"' 22, 1787, at ten of the clock a.m. for the purpose of choosing a Delegate, Agreeable to a late Resolve of the General Court, to Represent this town in the Convention to be holden at the State House in Boston, the second Wednesday of January next, 1788, for the purpose of Assenting to, and Ratifying the Constitution of the United States, as proposed by the Federal Convention lately assembled at Philadelphia.

legally Notified iind Warned by Benjamin Cory one of the Constables of this Town Assembled on Thursday Nov"' 22, 1787, at the Dwelling House of William Gilford at ten of the clock a.m. And proceeded agreeable to the directions of said warrant, -

" 2. William Alniy was chosen a Delegate to Represent this Town in Convention at the State House in Boston on the second Wednesday of January next, 1788, for the purpose aforesaid."

" 14. The Article was taken up Respecting the building of a Town House or not, and it passed in the Affirmative. Nextly it was Motioned to choose a Committee to look and enquire for the best accommodations for a place to set it and to make report thereof to the next Town Meeting. Also a vote was called how many the Committee should consist of, and it was voted to have three upon the committee. And William Almy, Wesson Kirby, & Edward Borden were Nominated to be of the Committee, and they were Chosen and were to make report of their doings to the next town meeting.

"15. The Article was taken up Respecting the Regulating of the Fishery and a vote was called whether the Town would Tolerate the inhabitants thereof to proceed in the method of Seining fish, or not, & it passed in the Aflirmative.

"Agreeable to an adjournment of the meeting of the 7th of April last past that was adjourned to this day & house (viz.:) to the 2°'' Monday of May, 1788, at 10 O'clock A.M. at the House of Joseph Giflbrd.

" Voted to allow those accounts brought against this Town, viz.: To Mr. Stokes Potter, for keeping Job Potter from the 2d of July, 1787, to May 16, 1788, forty-five weeks and four days, at 5/ 6rf. pr. week, twelve pounds, ten shillings, and Id. To Susa Dick, for keeping Hannah Simon (a Black Womanj from July 2, 1787, to November 1, 1787, Seventeen Weeks and an half, at 3/ pr Week, and from November 1, 1787, to January 14, 1788, ten weeks and two days, at G/ pr week. Total five pounds fourteen shillings and sixpence. To Abiel JIacomber, for keeping Ann Worgin when Sick, from Jan. 28, 1788, four weeks, viz., one week at 12/, next at 9/ Do., at 5/, and Do. at 2/, Total £1 8/. To Edward Borden, for some provisions for the use of Ann Worgin, 6/.

"Voted that the Town Clerk Certify upon the Accts. allowed by the town when the allowance thereof is, and Record the same ; and that the Town Treasurer be directed to issue to such possessors of accts. allowed, as shall apply for the same, a certificate or certificates, in Lieu of such accts., which certificates shall be received in payment by the Town Treasurer for any Town Tax not all payed in at the time of the date of the Certificate, equal to the same sum in Gold and Silver.

" A further proceeding upon the article respecting the building of a Town House, and it was motioned that the committee, which was chosen for the purpose of enquiring for the best accommodations for a jjlace to erect the Town House should he called upon to make a report. The Committee being called upon, reported that at Stephen Kirby's, Northwest corner of his Land adjoining the Road, was the best place ; and the town to receive of the said Stephen Kirby four rods of laud each way, - that is. Sixteen Square Rods, upon the condition of his being exempted from paying his proportion of the expense of building said Town house.

" Motioned that a Committee be chosen for the purpose of building said house, and George Lawton, Wesson Kirby, and William Hicks were chosen.

" Voted that the Committee be impowered to conduct as they think proper, in preparing Materials for said house, and in the method and order of erecting it, having regard to the manner of doing of it, so that the inhabitants of said town, in things they receive of them, may be as justly proportioned, according to the circumstances of the Town, and apprized by the said committee in as near an e(iuality as they can come at it; also voted that the committee be impowered, if in case the aforesaid quantity of land should not be enough for the use of said town for the purpose of a Town house Lot (in their opinion), that they purchase as much more as will be sufficient.

"At a town-meeting held Aug. 2, 1788, acting on the following article of the warrant, viz.: 1st. To take into consideration the expediency of reconsidering the former vote of said Town respecting the place of building a Town House, and if thought proper by said town, to agree on a more suitable place for the above said purpose, or otherwise, for the town to act and do what shall be thought most pro|)er respecting said building.

"The matter respecting a place for building a Town-house was taken up and a vote was called whether the Town would reconsider a former vote (which was for erecting said house at the Northwest corner of Stephen Kirby's land) or not, and it passed in the affirmative.

" A vote was called whether said house should be erected at Stephen Kirtw's, Soutliwest corner of his land, or at the Northwest corner of William Gifford's land, and it passed to have it erected at William Gifford's.

"Voted that the Committee first chosen for building said house, viz., Capt. William Hicks, Wesson Kirby, and George Lawton, be further impowered to proceed therein agreeable to the last vote for said house, and according to the former instruction.

" A vote was called whether the Town would reconsider the former vote passed for building a Town House at the Northwest corner of William Gifford's land or not, and it passed in the negative not to reconsider it, 58 voting for and 63 against reconsidering of it.

"Voted that the Committee for building said Town House, viz., Capt. William Hicks, Wesson Kirby, and George Lawton, be further instructed to proceed in building said house, so far as to inclose it Convenient & Sufficient for holding the next Annual Town Meeting in March or April, 1789, if possible.

" Voted for the town to jiurchase two Rods each waj' of land of Ichabod Potter in the Southeast corner of his home farm, and give him Six Dollars for the same.

" Voted to reconsider the former vote of said Town for building a Town House at the Northwest corner of William Gifford's, and to build it at said Southeast corner of Ichabod Potter's land.

" The town-house was accordingly built at the lastnamed place, and was so far completed that a townmeeting was held therein for the first time on the sixth day of April, 1789. This house is the one now in use by the town. The committee were paid for their service and attendance in building the house at the rate of 3/ per day each. The workmen were paid 4/ per day each. The timber and plank, which was mostly of oak, was purchased of twenty-five different persons, and ten other persons furnished shingles in quantities of from 250 to 519 shingles; and the nails, which were made by hand, were furnished by seven different persons. The total expense of the house for materials and labor, so far as finished to May 13, 1789, was £30 1/ 5-?."

" To all people to whom these presents shall come, Jonotus, Sam Parachus, and Sue Codomoch, sister to said Jonotus, Indians of the town of Little Compton, in the county of Bristol, in New England, sendeth greeting;

" Know'Ye, that we the said Jonotus, Sam Parachus, and Sue Codomoch, for and in consideration of the full and just sum of One Hundred and Twenty Pounds of current lawful money in New England aforesaid, to us in hand paid before the sealing and delivering of these presents by Capt. William Southworth, of Little Compton aforesaid, and John Rogers, some time an inhabitant of Boston, in New England, and now in said Little Compton, of which said sum of One Hundred and Twenty Pounds we the said Jonotus, Sam Parachus, and Sue Codomoch do own the receipt of, and thereof and every part and parcel thereof acquit, exonerate, and discharge the said Wm. Southworth, John Rogers, them, and their, and either of their heirs, Executors, and Administrators forever, by these presents have given, granted, bargained, and sold, alienated and enfeoffed, confirmed, and by these presents do freely and absolutely give, grant, bargain, sell, alien, enfeoff, and confirm from us, the said Jonotus, Sam Parachus, and Sue Codomoch, our heirs, and each of our heirs, unto Wm. Southworth and John Rogers, their heirs and each of their heirs and a.ssigns forever, a certain Neck of Land. Said Neck lyeing and being in the township of Little Compton aforesaid, and in that part of the town called Coxit, commonly called and known by the name of Stephen's Neck. Bounded as fblloweth, viz. :

" On the North side or end partly by the lands of Isaac, an Indian preacher, now deceased, and partly by a straight line drawn from the South East corner bounds of said Isaac's land. Eastly by a snag wood tree, and from said snag wood tree bounded on the East side by a strait line running southerly to the South West corner of a great rock that lieth about two rods Eastward of a little brook, the bounds of a parcel of medow land formerly sold by Mamanuah unto Capt. Wm. Southvvorth and Wm. Soale, as may appear by a deed under the hand and seal of the said Mamanuah, bearing date April 2, 1694, and then bounded by said brook on the East side of the brook until said brook falls into th^ pond called Coceast, and then bounded on the East side of said pond to the place where said pond runs into the sea. Bounded on the West side from the said Isaac's South West corner, bound Southerly by the bounds that were formerly the land of Peter Quashim, until it comes to a pond called by the Indians Nonoqueshago, and then said pond to be the Bound on the West side untill it comes to the place where said pond runs Into the sea. The sea being the bound on the South side or end of said Neck, containing about Three Hundred acres of land, be it more or less, with all the singular, the privileges, and appuranenses thereunto belonging in Little Compton aforesaid, called Stephen's Neck, with all and singular the privileges and appurtanenses thereunto belonging, as it is herein before butted and bounded unto the said Wm. Southworth and John Rogers, they and either of them, their and either of their executors, assigns forever, to the only proper use and behoof of them tlieir heirs and assigns forever, free and clear, clearly acquitted of and from all other and former grants, bargains, sales, leases, mortgages, dowers, intangles, alienations whatsoever made, committed, or done by us the said Jonotus, Sam Parachus, Sue Codomock, or any of us or our heirs, or any of our heirs or assigns whatsoever, and that it shall and may be lawful, by virtue of these presents, to and for the said Wm. Southworth and John Rogers, and either of their heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns, and every of them from time to time, and at all times forever hereafter freely, peacably, and quietly to take and possess, occupy, use, aud enjoy before bargained premises without any lawful suit, trouble or denial, interruption, eviction, or disturbance of us or any of us, the said Jonotus, Sam Parachus, aud Sue Codomock, or any of our heirs or executors or assigns whatsoever, and that we the said Jonotus, Sam Parachus, and Sue Codomock do own and affirm to be th"e true proprietors and lawful possessors of the above Neck of land, and for the confirmation of the sale thereof, in manner and form above expressed, we the said Jonotus, Sam Parachus, and Sue Codomock have to these presents set our hands and seals this 6th day of April, Anno Domini One Thousand seven Hundred, in the twelfth year of the reign of William the Third of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, King.

" John Coe, "William Pabodie, Jr. " Bristol, ss., April 9, 1700. The above-mentioned Jonotus, Sam Parachus, Sue Codomock appeared before me, the subscriber, one of his majesty's Justice of Peace for said county, and acknowledged the above written instrument to be their own free act aud deed.

" The mark of Sam Parachus aud a [seal] " The mark of Sue Codomock and a [seal] " Entered April the 11th by John Cory, Recorder. " Bristol, .ss., Uth. May 12, 170?., then taken out of the record for said county and is a true copy thereof.

At the south end of the town of Westport lies a small harbor, at the mouth of Westport River, "fortunate in the natural position of its boundaries," and favorable for a good harbor, so situated that one of the boundaries of the harbor laps by the other so as to completely mislead one as to the entrance thereto. So complete is the deception that during the Revolutionary war it gained the name of the " Devil's Pocket-Hole," as vessels acquainted could enter, sail up the river a short distauce, and drop their sails at the wharves of Westport Point, where only the masts could be seen, but no manner of admittance thereto; and such was the anger of the Britishers at being thus foiled of their prey that they, after cruising back and forth, in wrath would open fire upon the hamlets lying along the shore, and during one of these flurries the south side of the present dwelling of G. Frederic Davis was carried away by a shell from a vessel lying about half a mile off the shore, marks of which the ancient building carried till thoroughly renovated a few years siuce.

Militia. - From IGGi until 1787, a period of one hundred and twenty-three years, the local militia of that section of country now Westport formed a part of the military forces of Dartmouth, which forces were, in 1667, by the Colonial Court ordered to submit to the orders of Sergt. James Shaw and Arthur Hatherway, who by the authority of the said court were appointed to exercise tlie men in arms in the town of Dartmouth. About six years later, viz., March 4, 1673, John Smith was appointed and commissioned lieutenant commandant of all the local militia of Dartmouth, aud consequently of those residing within the limits of what subsequently became Westport. Lieut. Smith's subordinate officer was Jacob Mitchell, who was commissioned ensign-bearer.

It is extremely difficult, and in some cases impossible, to learn who were the military leaders, the " Train Band Captains" of the local militia of the different towns, as very meagre records of these aj)- pear in the public archives in the office of the Secretary of State in Boston, and these are particularly deficient for the century commencing at the date when the colonies of Massachusetts Bay in New England and that of New Plymouth, now called Old Colony, were united. Indeed it was not until the adoption of a State Constitution, near the close of the war of the American Revolution, that order came out of confusion, system and care succeeded irregularity and neglect, and the military history of each town can be definitely and easily traced iu the offices of the Secretary of State and Adjutant-General in Boston.

While the French and Indian war was progressing, Zacheus Tobey and Ebenezer Willis were captains of Dartmouth militia. Capt. Tobey was promoted to major of the Second Regiment in 1762, and Capt. Willis was promoted to major of the same regiment in or about 1771, and discharged Sept. 19, 1775.

As early as 1762, the militia of old or original Dartmouth had become so numerous as to be divided into five companies, one of which doubtless embraced the train band and alarm list of what is now Westport. The commissioned officers of these companies at that date were as follows :

Nineteen years later tlie militia of ancient Dartmouth had been increased to nine companies, and that part of these forces in what subsequently became Westport appeared under these officers, viz. : Robert Earl, captain; Sylvester Brownell, lieutenant; and John Hix, ensign.

In July, 1788, Capt. Robert Earl was promoted to major of the Second Regiment of the Bristol County brigade, and Lieut. Sylvester Brownell advanced to captain of the Westport company.

Barber, in his " Historical Collections," published in 1848, in speaking of Westport, says, "This town, previous to it« incorporation in 1787, was a part of Dartmouth. There are two small villages in the town, one at the head of East River, the other at Westport Point. The people are much divided in religious sentiments. There are five meeting-houses : two for Friends, two for Baptists, and one for Methodists. There is also a small society of Congregationalists. The village at the head of East or Nochacuck River is about eight miles from New Bedford, eight from Franklin, and twenty-one from Newport. Formerly considerable quantities of timber were obtained in this town. The whale fishery is now an important branch of business ; eight whaling vessels now go out from Westport Point. There is a cottonmill in this town having 3072 spindles, which in 1837 consumed 300,000 pounds of cotton ; 270,000 pounds of cotton yarn were manufactured, the value of which was S67,o00."

Westport in 1883. - The town of Westport has five post-otlices, viz. : North Westport, Westport, South Westport, Central village, and Westport Point. The principal villages are Westport Point, Head of Westport, and Westport Factory.

Westport Point is situated at the southerly part of the town, between the east and west branches of Westport River. It contains about one hundred and fifty inhabitants, many of whom are engaged in fishing. Whaling vessels were formerly fitted from this ])ort, but there is no large shipping there at this time.

Head of Westport, or Westport village, is situated at the head of the east branch of Westport River, and contains from one hundred and fifty to two hundred inhabitants.

Westport Factory village is situated one and a half miles northerly from Westport village and partly in the town of Dartmouth. It contains upwards of two hundred inhabitants, most of whom are employed by the Westport Manufacturing Company, who carry on an extensive business in the manufacture of carpet warp, twine, wicking, cotton batting, etc.

Westport Harbor is situated on the west side of the West River, nearly opposite Westport Point. It has a large boarding-house and several cottages, which are occupied by visitors from abroad during the summer season. The New Bedford and Fall River Railroad passes across the northerly part of the town, but is of little advantage to the majority of the inhabitants of the town.

" One of the most quiet, pleasing, and successful business villages in the vicinity of Fall River is Westport Factory, some six miles out from this city, on Westport River, in the town of Westport. A long time ago capital was invested there and a cotton-juill of medium size was erected, the power being furnished by a dam across Westport River. Some twenty or more years ago this property was purchased by Mr. William B. Traftbrd, who for some years previously had been associated with Mr. Augustus Chace, of this city, in manufacturing enterprises. Mr. Trafford reorganized the mill and infused a new life into every department, and it soon became a standing success. Mr. Traflbrd secured the best of help, discouraged the use of alcohol, encouraged the operatives to build themselves permanent homes, and in the history of the concern there has been no clashing between employer and employe on the questions of labor or wages. No strikes are said to atHict this concern, because the work-people are contented and satisfied. Many of them own their neat little homes, and on riding through the village a noticeable feature is the cleanliness of everything and the quietness surrounding the place. A neat little chapel has been erected, which is occupied half of each Sunday by a Protestant and the other half by a Roman Catholic preacher, if they choose to preach, and as there is no liquor-shop allowed, there is no drunkenness unless the victim buys his liquor abroad. In fact, it is a strict rule that the work-people must keep sober, and the rule is obeyed. Mr. William B. Traflbrd was a man of great public spirit, and paid out of his own pocket half the expenses of a new road from the Narrows to the Factory, three miles or more, some ten years ago. He died about 1880, but fortunately had reared his sons to the business. Within a year after his death the oldest .son was thrown from his buggy and killed. Mr. Chapin Trafford, another son, now manages the concern. The business now carried on is buying the waste of the cotton-mills in Fall River and cheap cotton, and manui'acturing cotton batting and yarn for cheap goods. All their supplies are hauled from this city, and the finished goods returned the same, and their heavy teams are quite a feature on our streets. The business has been highly profitable. Mr. Traftbrd, the manager, completed an elegant mansion in the Factory village last year, and lives neighbor to his operatives, but in elegant style. It is rare to find an established business that has done better than this in the same number of years."

the close of the last century this vicinit}', so long under the influence of religious tenets of the Friends, was inspired with a desire for more comprehensive religious ()pinions, and as the Baptist Church at North Dartmouth (Hixville), under the pastorshi]) of Elder Daniel Hix, had adopted the Bible as their only rule of faith, and Christian experience their only test of religious fellowship (so considering all creeds unnecessary), this doctrine of gospel liberty naturally extended itself into this town, where Elder Hix was well known and much respected.

In 1819 religion? meetings were held at the Head of the River, when Peleg Sisson, Jonathan Mosher, George Mosher, Thaddeus Reynolds, Catharine Sowle, Sophia Tripp, Rachel Tripp, Susannah Lawton, Elizabeth Tripp, and Phebe Mosher, being in " fellowship, requested Elder Daniel Hix, of Dartmouth, to meet with them, and, agreeable to their request, acknowledged them the First Christian Church in Westport, Mass." They continued to worship in private dwellings until the completion of their house of worship, which was erected uijder the following call :

" Whereas, It is esBential ill all civilized societies that some suitablo place bo provided for public worship, and as there is none uear the village at the head of the east branch of Acoaxet River, in Westport, the subscribers hereby agree to pay what we here subscribe, in order to build a house for public worship, said house to be free for all denominations of Christians to assemble in and v^orship in their own way, when unoccupied by the church and society established at that place by the name of the Christian Cliurcb and Society.

There were no officers chosen until November, 1825, " when they made choice of Peleg Sisson for minister, and Brethren George M. Brownell and Jonathan Mosher for deacons, agreeable to the directions given in the Holy Scripture, by fasting, prayer, and laying on of hands. Elder Si.sson lived about eleven months from that time. His days were filled up with a good degree of usefulness, agreeable in life and lamented in death." He was succeeded by Elder Howard Tripp, a young man whose praise is in all the church, under whose labors the membership increa.sed to one hundred and eighty-four. Deacon Mosher moved to New Bedford soon after his appointment, and Deacon Brownell died Sept. 20, 1830. They were succeeded in office by Benjamin Tripp, whose labors continued until his death, Jan. 17, 1874, and Howland Tripp, who united with another church in 1843. Since then other members have served as occasion demanded. Deacon Howland Tripp was chosen first clerk Oct. 16, 1830; Robert Lawton, Aug. 20, 1841, and John A. Smith, the present clerk, March 9, 1878.

About 1833 they were troubled with Mormon missionaries, who persisted in occupying their house of worship, and in 1844 they were greatly annoyed by those who headed the cry, " Come ye out of Babylon," but the timely counsel of Rev. I. H. Coe, and the

"Besolvetl, That we hereby confess our mistake, and acknowledge our regrer that such should have been the case, and thereby the feelings of some have been injured."

The first mention of a Sabbath-school is July 16, 1842, but it is known to have existed before this. Jan. 9, 1844, the society was incorporated, and in 18.54 pews were put in the house of worship. Present value of property is about eight hundred dollai's. In 1842, Abner G. Devol was "licensed to improve his gift." Since then James L. Pierce, John G. Gammons, Gideon W. Tripp, as ordained ministers, and Robert A. Lawton, a licentiate from this church, have joined the Rhode Island and Massachusetts Christian Conference, the church joining September, 1862.

This church has enjoyed a number of revivals, and as the nucleus of religious effort here has the pleasure of recognizing the following societies as her offspring: The Second Christian Church at South Westport, organized Sept. 18, 1838 ; the Third, at Central Village, June 10, 18.39; the Fourth, at Brownell's Corner, July 4, 1843; and the Pacific Union Congregational, May, 1858. Services were held at Westport Factory for many years, and they continued with us until 1871. Since then a respectable congregation of Christians assemble regularly, but are as yet unorganized.

No article of faith has ever been received by this body, but rules for business have been adopted when necessary, all of which passed a complete revision March 9, 1878.

Mrs. Elizabeth Tri]5p, wife of Deacon Benjamin, the last of the original members, died in the year 1883 at the advanced age of ninety-two years. Three hundred and twelve persons have joined this church, its present membership being eighty-one.

The following have been pastors and supplies: Peleg Sisson, Howard Tripp, John Phillips, Isaac Smith, William W. Smith, Wesley Burnham, I. W. Graffam, R. B. Eldridge, Samuel White, James L. Pierce, John B. Parris, George W. Dyer, John G. Gammons, Gideon W. Tripp, A. D. Blancbard, F. P. Snow, Gardner Dean, Curtis I. Pierce, H. P. Guilford, and Curtis I. Pierce.

The Second Christian Church at South Westport was organized Sept. 18, 1838, with the following members: Sanford Brightman, David Brownell, Sarah W. Brownell, Betty Brightman, Mary Brightman, Myra E. Brightman, and Ann Macomber, Elders Moses How, Charles Morgaridge, and Gardner Dean participating in the inaugural services. David Brownell was chosen clerk, and was the only officer until Aug. 28, 1841, when Brethren Jacob Chase and John Allen were chosen deacons and ordained soon after. With the decease of Deacon Chase the office remained vacant until Aug. 28, 1880, when Charles

R. Allen was chosen junior deacon. Deacon Allen was chosen clerk Nov. 2, 1849, and continued thirtyone years; Abraham Allen, present clerk, Aug. 28, 1880. The Sabbath-school was organized June 5, 1849. Feb. 1, 1876, they dedicated their new house of worship, valued at sixteen hundred dollars. Aug. 28, 1880, they revised their articles of church government.

This church has enjoyed a good degree of prosperity, even without much pastoral labor, one hundred and forty-two having joined since its organization, and numbering fifty-five at present.

The following have been pastors and supplies : Elder Matthi.is E. Gammons, Cephas Chamberlain, Gideon W. Tripp, Philip Sanford, Benjamin Masher, Nathaniel Lovering, Charles P. Snow, N. S. Chadwick.

The Third Christian Church, at Brownell's Corner, was organized July 4, lS4o, with the following membership: Howland Tripp, Gideon Tripp, Philip Devol, Holder Earl, Thomas Sanford, Elizabeth Tripp, Sarah Lawton, Basheba Earl, Mary Sanford, Maria Devol, Naomi Briggs, Betsy Petty. The house of worship was opened and dedicated the same day. Elder Howard Tripp delivered the dedicatory sermon, and continued as pastor until the summer of 1847. Since then the following have served as pastors : Elders Frederick Tripp, John W. Hunter, Matthias E. Gammons, Philip Sanford, Ephraim Burroughs, Benjamin F. Masher, Gould Anthony, O. F. Woltze. Howland Tripp and Gideon Lawton were the first deacons. Isaac D. Earl and Edwin Lawton are the present deacons ; Isaac D. Earl, present clerk. Seven years from its organization it numbered seventy-five members; whole number who have joined is one hundred and nineteen; present membership, fifty-one ; value of property, eight hundred dollars. There are six of the first members still living. The oldest is Mary Sanford, aged ninety-one.

The First Christian Church, North Westport, ' was organized Jan. 1, 1858, with the following members : Joshua Wordell, Perry Davis, Gershom Wordell, Sylvia Wordell, Rachel Davis, Edmund Wordell, Peleg Dennis, Mahaley Dennis, Mary Blossom, Sarah Ann Crapo, Patience A. Barney, Isaac A. Anthony, Christiana Anthony, Abiel Davis, Rhoda Davis, Abby S. Sherman, David D. Petty, Louisa Sherman, Clarissa Blossom, Rosina Sherman, Martha Millard, Ann Mariah Branley, Ruth B. Davis.

At a church-meeting held Sept. 10, 1864, J. B. Parris was chosen pastor, and at a meeting held April 10, 1866, Stephen M. Andrews was chosen pastor, and Jan. 26, 1873, A. H. Francis was accepted as pastor of the church, and was ordained by request of the church.

The next account of a pastor is in 1875, when Elder Elihu Grant commenced his work the second Sabbath in January, and resigned in March, 1879. Rev. B. F. Mosher, the present pastor, was chosen the same spring.

The church accepts no creed but the Bible, and fellowships all who maintain a Christian character. There are on rolls one hundred and nineteen names, twenty-four of whom have died, eight have been dismissed, one excommunicated, leaving seventy-six on the roll at present, many of whom are non-residents, having moved from the place. The edifice was erected before the church was organized ; probably completed in 1857. There is no date of the dedication of the building, but probably it was dedicated on the same day of the organization.

The Third Christian Church-' of Westport was organized June 10, 1839, with the following members: Daniel Tripp, Abner Tripp, Gidean W. Tripp, Green Allin, Silva Tripp, Susanah Tripp, Pheby Potter, Pheby Allin, Susan T. Brownell, Christiany Allin, Cathriue Tripp, and Pheby Tripp. The following is a list of pastors from its organization to the present time: Ekler Callogue, Elder George Dyre, Elder Gideon W. Tripp, Elder Isrel Wood, Elder Orrin J. Weight, Eider Bardon M. Bacer. The church building was erected in 1842. The present officers are: Deacons, Henry Brighton and Godfry Cormet; Clerk, Henry Brightman.

Friends' Church, Central Village.' - The Friends' Meeting at Central village was set oil" from Dartmouth Meeting in the year 1766, under the name of Acoaxet Monthly Meeting, - this village at that time being the western part of Old Dartmouth, and called by tlie Indian name of Acoaxet. Several years afterwards its name was changed to Westport Monthly Meeting. The present house was built in 1814 at a cost of eleven hundred and ninety-eight dollars. This was, however, a rebuild (but we have no record of when the house was built which was occupied previous to this). I wish I could give you a picture of it. It is with great pleasure I look back to my childhood days, and think of that large, commodious old meeting-house, with its bright, blazing fires in the large fireplaces, and its rows of venerable gray heads arranged along on the high .seats. No paint or marks of decoration were seen upon its massive beams or walls, no stufied cushions on its benches, or carpets covered its sanded floors, but the whole was a picture of neatness. In 1872 the old meetinghouse was summoned to lay aside its quaint old garb and undergo another remodeling, which is the present house now occupied.

The first members were Ichabod Eddy, Joshua Devol, Mercy Devol, Israel Wood, Philip Tripp, Margaret Tripp, Christian Brightman, Sarah White.

I cannot justly leave the history of this meeting without making particular mention of one of its members. I allude to Capt. Paul Cuff, whose name has been handed down from generation to generation as a man of great worth and noble character. He was born on Cuttyhunk, one of the Elizabeth Islands, in the year 1759. His father was a slave, his mother a native Indian by the name of Ruth Moses. He was tall and dignified in his appearance, his hair straight, and his complexion was not dark. A man of limited education, and, in traveling over the world as he did, sensibly realized what a loss he sustained by this privation. Several times during his voyages he took home with him poor boys from foreign ports to educate them. In two weeks he learned enough of navigation to command his own vessels, of whicli he built seven.

At the age of sixteen he became a sailor, and made a whaling voyage to the Gulf of Mexico. His second voyage was to the West Indies, but on the third he was captured by a British ship during the Revolutionary war (in 177G), and held a prisoner three months at New York. He joined this meeting in the year 1S08, and often appeared in the ministry with deej) devotional feelings.

In ISIO he received a certificate from the meeting to visit Africa ; later he had one to go to Washington ; still later, two others, one to visit Africa the second time. He had a strong attachment for the people of his own color.

It was this same Capt. Cuff, with his brother John, who sent in a petition to the Legislature in the year 1778 which was the means of passing the law giving all free persons of color equal privileges with other citizens, also rendering them liable to taxation, - a day which ought to be gratefully remembered in connection with the name of Paul Cufl' by all the colored people of Massachusetts.

One more incident of this worthy man. On a certain time he visited New Bedford, and stopped at a public-house with some friends, and was sitting in the travelers' room, warming himself by the fire. When the hour of dinner arrived the landlady entered the room and told Capt. Cuff she would set him a separate table. He politely thanked her, and then told her he had previously accepted an invitation to dine with Hon. William Rotch.

He owned a farm in Westport of one hundred acres, about two miles south of Hix's Bridge ; also a store-house and wliarf, where his vessels were built.

month of March, 18.50, Rev. J. B. Parris was engaged to supply the pulpit of the Old House (so called), it being the first Christian Church in Westport of that denomination. Mr. Parris labored with them two years. His salary was small, and obtained by voluntary subscription. At or near the close of his second year, as usual, a committee was chosen to solicit subscriptions for his salary the coming year. The day before his last Sabbath for the year a meeting of the church and society was held to hear the report of the committee. The committee reported they had been unable to obtain the amount for his salary. The moderator of the meeting (Dr. B. B. Sisson) suggested that he, Mr. Parris, be informed of their inability to continue his labors longer, and that a letter of recommendation be given him to other sister churches. A letter was written and presented to the meeting, and a vote passed tiiat the clerk inform him of the doings of the meeting, and present to him the letter of recommendation.

The week following his last Sabbath at the Old House he was called upon by three gentlemen, two of whom a short time previous had returned from California, and neither of the three had been an attendant upon his ministry, but were highly pleased with his deportment as a minister of the gospel. They questioned him to know if he would continue his labors in the village and preach in Washingtonian Hall if they could obtain subscriptions to the amount of his salary, assuring him that no effort had been made to obtain it, and the people were anxious for him to continue with them. His answer to them was that if the people wished him to stay and preach in the hall he had no objection, and the amount raised on or before Saturday. A subscription paper was started, and before Saturday night he was informed the amount had been obtained, and Sunday he commenced his labors in the hall, it being March, 1852, where most of the church members from the Christian Chucli and all the congregation followed him.

Mr. Parris continued his labors in the hall till December, 1855, when the Pacific Union Church building was completed and dedicated, and he was invited by its proprietors to occupy its pulpit, which he did till March, 1858, when he informed his friends and congregation he should not be a candidate for the pulpit any longer, as his throat had troubled him much during the past year, and several Sabbaths was unable to preach.

In the month of December, 1853, Zacheus Gifford, an attendant at the hall, after the close of the services one Sabbath-day, stated to P. W. Peckham, Stephen Howland, and C. A. Church, in my presence, that a short time previous he attended the rededication and sale of pews at the church at Hix's meeting-house, which had been repaired and pewed ofl' and nicely fitted up, and that the sale of the pews amounted to more than the expense incurred, leaving a balance on hand, and that a new house was needed here, and he thoup;ht one could be built and paid for from the sale of pews. From that time the enterprise commenced to be agitated, and as the hall was uncomfortably crowded most of the time, it was concluded to call a meeting on the subject.

"All persons feeling interested in the cause of Christianity in this Village, are requested to meet at Washington Hall on Thursday, Feb. 23, 1854, at 2 o'clock P.M., to consult together upon the present state of the cause and the hest means for its promotion.

The meeting was held and a vote passed that one of the means to promote the cause of Christianity in this village is to build a meeting-house. A committee was chosen to draft and report resolutions at the next meeting. The meeting was adjourned to Wednesday, March 1, 1854.

March 1, 1854, meeting held, and committee reported that a good degree, a healthy state of religious feeling and interest, and for the welfare of the cause of Christ these should be concentrated in some form of religious association, and offered the following resolutions :

That the cause would be promoted by the formation of a society to co-operate with the church. And that it would be promoted by the erection of a building suitable for a place of worship. That it is exjiedient to refer the choice of the form of church organization to such as are willing and ready to become members of a church. And that such consult together and come to some decision, and report to the adjournment of this meeting."

It was voted that the committee, of which Rev. Mr. Parris was chairman, be instructed to give a general invitation to all persons desirous of becoming members of the proposed church to meet at such time and place in said village of Westport, Head of the River, as said committee may designate. Said notice was given, and a meeting held at the house of Hon. N. C. Brownell, Esq., Saturday evening, March 4, 1854. Adjourned to meet at the house of Stephen Howland on Tuesday, March 9th, and from there to the house of Thomas Winslow.

Meeting called to order by Rev. J. B. Parris. C. A. Church chosen chairman ; Stephen Howland, secretary. Prayer otfered by Rev. J. B. Parris. The articles, confession of faith, and covenant of a Congregational Church was adopted. At this point of the proceedings Zacheus Gilford and Adam Giftbrd withdrew from the enterprise, they wanting the church to be of the same denomination as the old church, which had no creed. There were several meetings held during the year and the matter discussed, but no definite action taken to form a church, some taking the ground that it would be better to have a place to worship in before forming a church organization.

and completeness of finisli will reflect no discredit on the liberality of the Stockholdei-8. The funds for its erection have been contributed wholly by them ; no pecuniary aid has been received or asked for from any denomination or from any other Source. The conditions on which it is offered to the public we believe to be just, open, and fair to all, and free from any reasonable objection.

" The object and design of its erection are to subserve as far as possible the moral and religions welfare of the Community, & we trust and believe in the Providence of God that desirable end will lie attained ; but to accomplish this all friends of moral and religious improvement should come together in a spirit of true ChrislJMn liberality, all minor difTerences of opinion and jealousies must be olTered a willing sacrifice on the .\ltar of charity, concord, and Uiuflly feelings. If this be done may not hope that God will own and bless our efforts and crown them with success; and that He will so direct and goveru them by this spirit as will redound to the good of all and to His honor & Glory.

At a meeting held Nov. 30, 1855, it was voted that all pews remaining in the hands of the original stockholders unsold, and not leased by them, shall be exempt from taxation for incidental expenses attending public worship, and no pew shall be taxed for the support of the ministry.

Voted that the house be appraised at four thousand dollars, and the pews be appraised to cover that amount. A committee of three was chosen to sell and convey the pews. Adjourned to Tuesday, Dec. 4, 1855, at 9 A.M., at the meeting-house. At this meeting it was voted that the stockholders reserve to themselves the privilege of inviting a preacher to officiate until a society is formed and a preacher called by it. Adjourned to 3 P.M. Adjourned to Friday morning, December 7th. At eight and a half o'clock Friday morning the committee on appraisal presented their report, which was accepted by the meeting, as follows : That the apprisals of the pews shall forever hereafter be the basis for taxation.

Voted that the front seats, Nos. 19, 20, 43, 44, be forever free seats. Voted that the committee on dedication be a committee to invite a preacher to .supply the pulpit until a society is formed and a preacher supplied by them. Voted to adjourn to meet in the evening at six and a half o'clock.

At the adjourned meeting held on Friday evening, voted that the committee on selling pews be authorized to lease the unsold pews at the rate of eight per cent, on their appraised value and payment of taxes for incidental expenses, with a provision that should any one wish to purchase said pew, the lessee shall have the first privilege of purchase ; but if he does not wish to purchase, shall then peacefully surrender said pew, and have the privilege of leasing another. Voted that the sale of pews and the purchaser, their valuation, number, and premium paid for choice be recorded in the stockholders' records ; also each pew shall bear its proportion of insurance, to be paid by its purchaser, one-third of purchase money to be paid on delivery of deed, and one-third in thirty days, and one-third, or balance, in sixty days thereafter. The records show there were eighteen sold and sixteen leased out of the forty-two to sell or lease.

Of those who were numbered among the stockholders that purchased one or more pews six have died, three have moved away and sold their pews. Of those who leased pews, six have died, six have left town, and four remain.

It was also voted at the meeting held Friday evening, December 7th, that the superintendent of the Sunday-school at Washington Hall transfer said school to this vestry.

Voted to have the records revised and written up in consequence of the sudden death of our respected and lamented friend, Stephen Howland, a former clerk of this association. Adjourned to Tuesday evening, Dec. 18, 1855. Meeting held, B. B. Sisson in the chair. Clerk read the records of the last meeting. Voted that the committee appointed at the last meeting on revising the records be empowered to take such action as shall be necessary to organize the stockholders into a legal corporate body. Voted that the sum of two thousand dollars be assessed on the stockholders for the purpose of paying the outstanding debts against the house and preparing the lot; that the same be assessed and collected and paid into the treasury on or before the 15th day of January, 1856. Voted to adjourn to meet at Washington Hall, Dec. 26, 1855, at 6.30 p. m. Meeting held according to adjournment. The committee to organize thestockholder.s as a corporate body report they are engaged in the business, and will report as soon as sufficient progress shall have been made to enable them to do so. Voted to adopt the book of records now present and in the hands of the clerk as the book in which to record the doings of the stockholders, and this vote be entered at the commencement of the records.

Voted that all meetings in the future be called by posting up notices in two public places three days at least before the time for holding said meetings. Voted that in the death or absence of the clerk the meeting shall be called by the treasurer.

Voted that the building committee be authorized to draw on the treasurer for such sums as may be necessary to discharge the debts against said house and lot. Voted to meet at Washington Hall on the evening of December 26th, at six and a half o'clock.

Dec. 26, 1855. Meeting called to order by the clerk ; chairman being absent, J. L. A. chosen pro tern. The chairman of committee appointed to revise and examine the records as left by Mr. Howland, the former clerk, made their report, which was accepted. Voted to adjourn without day.

The next meeting was called by the clerk to meet in the vestry of the church, Monday evening, 20th, at eight o'clock ; first, to choose a moderator ; second, to hear the report of the committee on the organization of the proprietors; third, to hear tlie report of the building committee. C. A. Church, rhairman of the building committee, read the report:

*' The Com' report they had Erected a Meeting-house for the public Worship of God in the Village, Having from time to time made jtartial report as all weiO aware in the Worlt. Having as they believe Completed the Work assigned or Confided to them, they are Xow prepared to make a final report a[id settlement of^the business assigned them. They presented to the Meeting the Accompanying bills of Expenditures and the receipts in tlie hand of Treasurer to show what became of their Money. It being so arranged as to siiow in detail the amount expended in the Various departments, deeming it the most business like and probably the must satisfactory to the stockholders who have a right to know, wheie &: for vliat purpose their money has been expended. The ComMhouglit it desirable that all debts against tlie Ilouse should l)e paid with as much promptitude as possible. And they think tliey may Assert with .Safety that rarely has a house of the Ivind been erected where the debts against it liave been more promptly paid. They also return their thanks to the Stockholders for their liberality and promptness in furnishing them with tlie means for doing so. The Com' would also say in conclusion they liave endeavored to discharge the duties Assigned them to the best of their ability and that all will agree they are attended with no little troulile and anxiety and responsibility, and that better and more competent persons from among our numbers, could have been chosen, we do not doubt ; but as we are of your own choosing the responsibility you have to assume. We charge Nothing for our Services and if they are worthless, you pay Nothing for them. It they have been of any Value whatever it may be, You are welcome to them. And we hope that he who governs all things will own and bless the Edifice that we all have contributed to erect; And make it instrumental in promoting his honor and Glory. We respectfully submit this report and accompanying Account and ask to be discharged from furtlier Service. "Signed

The bills of each person employed in preparing the lot for the foundation, stone-work, plans, carpenter's bill, masons, painters, furnace, upholstery, chairs, table, .sofa, Bibles for vestry and auditorium, insurance for five years, dedication expenses, etc., amounted to $5092.50. The above account and report was accepted and ordered to be recorded.

"The undersigned a Com' appointed to present some plan the said organization of the Stockholders as a Corporate body, report that they have examined the subject and consulted Council in the case, and they recommend tlie Stockholders to organize under the 43d chapter of the Revised Statutes.

Then follows a copy of a deed given by James B. Oongdon and wife to owners of pews of the lot on which the house stands, said lot having previously been conveyed to him by the heirs of Mr. Howland, who were now stockholders in common. Said deed conveys to each stockholder the amount of his share, also naming each heir of Mr. Howland, the share of

Then follows the petition to George H. Giftbrd, justice of the peace, representing that they with others are the proprietors and holders in common of certain real estate situated in Westport; that they are desirous of forming themselves into a corporation according to the statutes in such cases made and provided. Wherefore they request that you, the said justice, issue your warrant calling a meeting of said proprietors to be held for the purpose of organizing themselves as a corporation under the provision of the law in such cases provided ; and to choose all necessary oflicers, and to determine the manner of calling all future meetings, and make arrangements for the sale or transfer of their property, and transact other busine.ss that may be necessary and proper.

George H. Gilford, the justice, issued his warrant to the said holders in common, directing them to call a meeting of said proprietors to be held in the vestry of the new meeting-house at the Head of the River, in Westport, on Monday, the 25th day of August, in the year 1856, at seven and a half o'clock P.M., for the purposes aforesaid, by posting up a notice containing the substance of this warrant, signed by you, the said C. A. Church, in one or more public places in said Westport, fourteen days at least before said meeting, and also by publishing the same in a newspaper printed in said county of Bristol. Given under the hand and seal of said George H. Gifford, justice of the peace. Then follows the certificate of C. A, Church that he had complied with the order of the warrant. The meeting was held according to the warrant, J. L, Anthony, chosen moderator; N. W. Winch'ester, chosen clerk, and sworn by the moderator; P. W. Peekham, chosen treasurer; Isaac Howland, collector; C. A. Church, assessor ; J. L. A. I. Howland, J, T. Thompson, chosen a committee to sell or lease unsold pews, and make the necessary conveyances, and to have the general care of the house and lot.

Voted that this corporation shall be known by the name of the proprietors of the Pacific Union Church. It was also voted that the clerk shall call all future meetings of the corporation by posting up one notice at the church and at one or more public places in the village seven days at least before the holding of the meeting, and in case of death or absence of clerk, meeting shall be called by treasurer.

Voted that the clerk shall call a meeting at any time on application of three or more of the proprietors in writing, stating the object of said meeting, and at all other times when he shall deem it expedient. Voted that five shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business of this association. Voted that each share shall be entitled to one vote, and that no person be entitled to more than ten votes. Voted to reconsider the vote for treasurer, and that the collector, Isaac Howland, be the treasurer. Voted that the committee on sale of pews be directed to erect a suitable fence around the lot as soon as may be, in compliance with the stipulations in the deed of said lot. Voted to adjourn without day. The next meeting of interest was held Friday, March 6, 1857, at which the treasurer presented his report for the past year, showing there had been received into the treasury the sum of $189.49 from taxes, leases, and rents for the incidental expenses, and he had sundry bills to the amount of $186.56, leaving a balance in the treasury of $2.93. It was proposed and voted that an individual account be opened in the records with the proprietors, and that each proprietor be furnished with a statement of his account. Voted to adjourn without day. N. W. Winchester, clerk.

The next meeting was held by the proprietors on the 5th day of March, 1859, at three o'clock, p.m., under a call by the proprietors to the clerk. When the necessary oflicers and committees were chosen for the year. There was presented to the meeting from a committee of the Union Sewing Circle a statement that from means obtained from the fair held by them in December last, and from the aid of kind friends in and out of our village, they have been enabled to raise a sum sufficient to warrant them in contracting for a bell for the tower of the church and a clock for the vestry, and therefore ask of the corporation their acceptance of the same, and permission for them to place the bell and clock in their appropriate places in the church. Signed, Westport, March 5, 1859. Mary A. Church, Lucilla S. Borden.

Voted that the proprietors of this church accept with gratitude and pleasure the above kind donation of a bell and clock from the ladies of the Westport Union Sewing Society, and earnestly hope, with the blessings of God, that the donation made and the edifice which may contain them be ever used to promote His glory and the moral and religious welfare of this community ; and that a committee consisting of Capt. Charles Little and Isaac Howland be appointed to accept said donation, and render any aid necessary in placing the bell and clock in their aj)- propriate places.

Voted that a copy of this vote be given to the committee of the sewing society. The meeting was then adjourned to March 11, 1859, at three o'clock p.m.

At the meeting held March 11, 1859, the committee appointed at the previous meeting reported that they had given the subject much thought, as regards the rights and duties of all the stockholders and the general interest of this community in which the church is located. They are of an opinion, as there is not much probability of selling the pews on hand at their present valuation and paying the indebtedness to the stockholders, that those stockholders to whom there is a balance due draw out the amount of said balance in pews and dispose of them as they shall deem best; and those of the stockholders who have purchased pews, the value of which exceeds their amount of i stock, that they pay up their balance. This will close i up with but little delay the whole matter of the stock- ' holders and the proprietorship, and the business can be transferred or merged into the society. This is ' very desirable, and your committee earnestly hope it ! may be accomplished. They are authorized to state that those stockholders to whom there is a balance I due are ready to take out those balances in pews on reasonable and just conditions, and hope those in- ! debted will manifest an equal promptness in settling their balances. The next consideration, what in jus- : tice should be done with those pews drawn out by the I stockholding creditors, in regard to taxation for incidental expenses, when not used or wanted by them. Having purchased pews sufficient for themselves and families, the stockholders propose to surrender them, or such of them as they do not wish to retain, to the use of the proprietors for one year, for them to be ! leased at auction or otherwise, and the amount received be applied towards the payment of the incidental expenses of supporting public worship in the hofise, reserving the right of selling only should opportunity offer.

This certainly is a fair and liberal offer, and w^ill have the effect to reduce materially the expenses on the single pew-owners of the stockholders. There are many, your committee think, in the community who are desirous of purchasing or leasing pews who cannot afford to pay the present valuation prices or lease at the present rates ; what the committee desire is a price within their reach. The stockholder own- 1 ing pews can sell at any price he feels disposed to, ' and those surrendered to the proprietors can be leased at rates sufficiently low to bring them within the means of all who desire to rent. Free seats will be furnished to all unable to purchase, and that the reasonable wishes of all can be supplied. The great object should be to throw open as widely as possible the doors of the sanctuary of public worship, that the poor as well as the rich should equally partake of its blessings and privileges. Your committee feel it their duty, whether acting the part of committee or stockholder, to do all they can to accomplish so desirable an end, and would therefore recommend the adoption of the following votes :

The first, second, and part of third article in the vote recommended is to cover the ground in the report pre.sented with the following items of additions, the reservation for a pew for the use of the minister's family : That the money received from pews leased be appropriated towards the incidental expense, and the balance shall be taxed on the pews remaining in the hands of stockholders, owned and retained by them, according to the established valuation of said pews ; and that no lease shall interfere with right of any stockholder to sell his pew and give immediate possession, the lessee only paying for the time occupied, and that said pew sold or the owner thereof shall be liable to the same taxation as the pews owned and used by the stockholders or others. The vote also recommends that the committee on sale and lease of pews shall give public notice that they will lease pews at public auction on some day (they shall name) as soon as practicable for the term of one year as many pews (after making the above reservation) as the community shall, by offers made, evince a desire to lease. The residue, if any, may be leased thereafter (if opportunity offers) on such terms and conditions as the committee shall judge best for the interest of all parties; and that all pews, when not occupied by the lessee or owner, may be occupied by others, under the direction of the committee on sale and leasing of pews.

Voted that the three votes recommended by the committee as recorded be adopted. A committee of three was then appointed to sell and lease the pews, as follows: C. A. Church, J. L. Anthony, and Isaac Howland, and that the said committee be authorized to make necessary conveyance to the stockholders and others of those pews already purchased or drawn out by them, also of those the stockholders may hereafter draw out ; also lease such pews as may be surrendered to the use of the proprietors, agreeable to the vote adopted in the report of said committee as above recorded, and that a stockholder be permitted to exchange his pew if said committee deem it best; also arrange for the settlement of any balance due to the stockholders on pews drawn out, on such terms as they shall deem for the interest of parties. A request from the proprietors to the clerk to call a meeting to be held in the vestry of the church on Monday, April 11th, at seven o'clock p.m., the third article was to ascertain if the proprietors will sell or convey the house and lot to the Pacific Union Society and close up the affairs of the corporation, and to appoint a committee with authority to make the necessary conveyance to accomplish that object, and to repeal any former vote of the proprietors that may be inconsistent with the above.

Meeting held ; being stormy and but few present, and it being desirous to have a full representation of the proprietors, voted to adjourn to Tuesday, April 12th, at three r.M.

April 12, 1859. The proprietors met by adjournment, a full representation present. The committee on sale and lease of pews presented their report, which was accepted and adopted :

" The undersigned appointed a Com' at a Meeting of the proprietors held on the llth day of Marcli, 1859, for the purpose of Conveying to individual proprietors such Pews as they shall see fit to draw out towards the ha^ due them of stock in the Corporation, and to settle and close up its affairs in Order that the control and management of the House of Worship should be translerred to the racific Union Society. Report that they might proceed legally Sc Lawfully in the matter have taken legal advice, and that it is recommended that tlie proprietors of the Pacific tJniou Church shall convey said Church & Lot by deed to the Pacific Union Society, and that said Society shall nuilce the division deeds of Pews to its members. And as the members of said Society are also proprietors in the Cliurch & Owners of the larger portion of the same; and are desirous of drawing out their bal. due them in Pews, the division of Pews will be so arranged by the Society as to meet tbe views of those proprietors as well as if done by tbe Corporation. This course will give to the Society tbe same control of the House as is now possessed by the proprietors whicli was one of the Objects necessary to be attained in referring tlie subject to your committee.

"Your Com' concur in the above recommendation, and regard it jia the proper course to pursue to bring about the wishes and intentions of the proprietors. But doubt \Vliether you have conferred on them the power and Authority to miike said conveyance, and would ask that you would confer upon them or others such necessary powers & Authority that the Object desired may be accomplished.

It was voted that C. A. Church, J. L. Anthony, Isaac Howland be a committee with authority and power to sell and convey to the Pacific Union Society in AVestport the house of public worship and lot belonging to the proprietors known as the Pacific Union Church, and to make all necessary conveyance of the same and to close up as soon as may be the affairs of the corporation.

Voted that any vote heretofore passed by us in any way inconsistent with the preceding vote is hereby repealed. There were seventy-five votes cast in the affirmative and none in the negative. Voted to adjourn to April 19, 1859.

May 6, 1859. Meeting held and the committee reported they had leased of the unsold pews, according to the instructions given them, at auction and otherwise, twenty pews for the sum of fifty-six dollars and twenty-five cents. That they have also assigned pew No. 16 for the use of the minister's family, and seats for persons unable to hire, and five pews not leased, but the committee are of the opinion that every pew on hand will be leased or assigned to those wishing to attend public worship in the church. Though the pews have been leased for a comparatively small amount for the coming year, yet your committee are of the opinion that great spiritual blessings will follow the course which the proprietors have been pleased to pursue to enable all wlio desire to attend public worship in this house to procure a seat for what they please to give. And they doubt not that as the interest increases from a regular attendance upon the public worship of God, that in a pecuniary point of view we may with hope look forward for the blessing of Almighty God to attend the efforts and sacrifices made by the proprietors of this house for the moral and religious welfare of this place. Signed, in behalf of the committee, by J. L. Anthony.

The committee chosen at a previous meeting reported that tliey had sold and conveyed said house and lot by the following deed, a copy of which is hereto annexed. And in order to close up the affairs of the corporation the undersigned committee have made an agreement intended to accomplish that result, with a committee duly authorized by the Pacific Union Society to purchase said house and lot, and to adjust and settle all matters in relation to said purchase. Said deed and agreement we present with this report and ask that they be ratified and entered in the book of records of the proprietors. Then follows the deed and agreement on the part of the two committees as recorded in the proprietors' records.

Then said deed and agreement was ratified and approved, and the clerk directed to enter them in the records of the proprietors. Voted to adjourn without day.

A meeting called according to notice, to be held on Friday evening, 3d month 9, 1866, was adjourned to April 3, 1866. Meeting held April 3, 1866, by adjournment, and it appearing from the records that there has been a final distribution of the common property belonging to the proprietors, and that there are no debts owing from the proprietors and none due them, and that the business of the corporation is closed up, therefore voted that the book of records be deposited with the clerk of the Pacific Union Society, said society having been the sole purchasers of all the property formerly belonging to the proprietors.

On the 9th of May, 1858, a notice was read from the pulpit by Rev. Isaac Dunham stating that it was thought necessary to have an organized church connected with this house of worship, and that all who were willing to unite in the formation of a church to meet in the vestry of the church building the next afternoon. May 10, 1858, at 3.30 o'clock, to consider upon the subject, and to take steps for its completion.

The meeting was held, moderator chosen, as also a secretary. There were seventeen persons present. Remarks were made by J. L. Anthony setting forth the necessity of an organized church, and the desires of a number to connect themselves with it. By permission of the meeting the secretary read articles of faith, covenant, and standing rules of a Congregational Church which, if satisfactory, would recommend for adoption,if thought best to have a Congregational Church. As there were persons in the meeting that thought a church of the Christian or Methodist denomination would be preferable, it was concluded to take a vote and have the majority to decide the question. The vote stood: for the Christian, three; for Methodist, two; for a Congregational, nine; and three not voting either way. It was voted to call a council for the organization of a church three weeks from that day. Meeting then adjourned sine die.

to the following-named churches to send pastors and delegates to meet on Monday, May 31, 1858, at ten o'clock, A.M., to advise and aid in forming a church on Congregational principles, and publicly to recognize the same, if in the judgment of the council it should be thought expedient so to do.. Signed, J. L. Anthony, D. H. Kay.

Pursuant to letters missive an ecclesiastical council met at the meeting-house in Westport, May 31, 1858, for the purj)ose of organizing a Congregational Church.

J. L. Anthony was called upon to give an account of the previous prospects of the society ; what means were at command to sustain the ministry provided a Congregational Church was organized.

Mr. C. A. Church gave his views in regard to the control of the house, expressing his opinion that, provided a church was formed, most of the stockholders would heartily co-operate. Rev. I. Dunham gave his opinion that the time had come for the organization of a church.

The articles of faith and form of covenant were presented and read, whereupon it was voted that the articles of faith and form of covenant, together with the name of the church, and their rules and regulations now presented, are satisfactory to the council.

The following-named presented themselves, and were examined upon certificate or by profession of their faith, and the examination proving satisfactory to the council, it was voted to proceed to the organization of the church : J. L. Anthony, Rev. J. B. Parris, Dr. B. R. Abbie, David H. Kay, Miss Caroline Tallman, Mrs. Mary Rowland, Elizabeth G. Rowland, Mrs. Mary W. Anthony, Mrs. Mary J. Rowland, Mrs. Eliza A. Macomber, Miss Nancy A. Cornell.

Order of exercise for the organization of the church : Reading of the minutes, by the scribe ; invocation and reading the Scriptures, by the Rev. J. B. Parris ; introductory prayer, by Brother Dennison ; sermon, by Rev. Eli Thurston, - text was, " For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up," Psalm Ixix. 9 ; reading confession of faith and covenant, by Rev. Timothy Stowe; recognition of church and consecration prayer, by

A meeting of the church was held Aug. 21, 1858, at which a clerk and deacon was chosen. It was also voted that this church extend an invitation to the Rev. I. Dunham to serve them as pastor for the year commencing June 1, 1858. The articles of faith, covenant, and standing rules of the church were read for the information of those present desirous of joining this church. Voted that those persons present who wish to join the church be examined on their profession of faith.

Mrs. Hannah Crocker, Mrs. Phebe Tripp, and Miss Lucilla Borden presented themselves, and were examined by the committee, and the examination proving satisfactory, it was voted that they be propounded.

Voted that the clerk inform the society that they had concurred with them in extending an invitation to the Rev. Isaac Dunham to become their pastor. Rev. Mr. Dunham accepted the invitation. Voted to adjourn for two weeks. At the meeting held on Sept. 4, 1858, Brother J. B. Parris was chosen treasurer, which oiEce he has held to this day.

On Sunday, September 5th, to which the last meeting was adjourned, the three persons previously propounded were received into full membership.

March, 1866. At the request of Sister Hannah Cobb to join the First Presbyterian Church in Oswego, N. Y., and Sister H. W. Bosworth to join the Middle Street Christian Church, New Bedford, it was voted that their request be granted, and lettei's given them.

August 9th. The ordinance of baptism was administered to the infant son of John H. and Rebecca A. Gitford, and infant daughter of Thomas and Georgie R. Cornell.

Sept. 1, 1867. The ordinance of baptism was administered to Emma Cowen, and she was admitted to the fellowship of this church. The ordinance of baptism was administered to Thomas Ashiy, infant son of John H. and Rebecca A. Gifford.

January, 1868. Rev. Isaac Dunham, who had been the acting pastor of this church nearly ten years, declined to serve it longer, as he wished to go and build up a church at Whittenden, near Taunton, His year expiring April 1, 1868, he had provided a pastor for the church, if they should unite in calling him, by the name of Leonard, who came and jireached a sermon Feb. 19, 1868, and the call was given February 22d. For many other items of interest, they will be found in extracts from the society records. A council was called June 80, 1868, and Rev. H. P. Leonard was installed as pastor. Brother Leonard continued his pastorate till March 16, 1875, when, at his request, a council was called and dissolved his connection with this church. The pulpit was supplied to June 1, 1875, by Rev. H. P. Gilford, N. S. Moore, and Rev. N. S. Moore engaged for six months, or to Dec. 1, 1875, after which the pulpit was agairi supplied to Oct. 20, 1876, by Mr. Bonnell, Dyre, Gilford, D. D. Campbell, Pettee, Smith, Allen, Bacon, Prescott, Atwood, and Bristol.

At the request of Brother H. P. Leonard and wife, the usual letters from this church to the Congregational Church at East Taunton was sent him, and notice received July 3, 1877. Rev. F. L. Bristol gave notice that at the close of his year of labor with this church and society he should leave, and therefore should not be a candidate for acting pastor the next. The church was supplied thereafter till Jan. 1, 1878, by Mr. Bonnell, L. P. Atwood, Mr. Dodge, Mr. Tenney, Mr, Willams, and William P, Alcott, The committee then agreed with Rev, L. P. Atwood to .supply the church and society for three months from Jan. 1 to April 1, 1878. He (Mr. Atwood) was engaged from year to year till April 1, 1883. He then declined to be a candidate to supply the church and society longer.

Sept. 27, 1880. At the request of Sister Ellen M, Leland to change her connection from this dear church of her childhood to the West Newton Bajitist Church, the letter of recommendation and dismission was granted by vote of the church, and notice received,

Mrs, Rebeccah A. Smith having signitied to Rev. L, P, Atwood her desire tor baptism, and being received into this church, a committee waited upon her at her house, she being sick and in feeble health, and upon examination of her experience and profession of faith, and it proving satisfactory in finding her in fellowship with the articles of faith of this church, and of her hope in the blood of Christ which cleanseth from all sin, a vote of the church was taken on the report of the committee, which was unanimous to receive her after the ordinance of baptism had been administered.

Sabbath afternoon, July 2, 18S2, Rev. Mr. Atwood and members of the church assembled at her home, and the ordinance of baptism by sprinkling was administered, and she admitted to this branch of Christ's visible church in usual form, after which the sacrament was administered.

On the 31st of December, 1882, a letter was received from Brother Atwood stating that he respectfully declined the candidacy to supply the pulpit after expiration of his present year of labor, ending the last Sabbath of March, 1883.

Jan. 18, 1883. The letter of Rev. Mr. Atwood read. On motion of Brother Dr. J. B. Parris, it was voted that a letter of recommendation be given him to sister churches.

"Whereas, The Rev. Lewis P. Atwood, who has labored with this church and society for more than five years past, has declined to be a candidate for the pulpit the coming year, it is therefore

" Eesoli-ed, Thai we deeply regret the severing of the Cliristian and brotherly ties that bound our hearts together, and this church doth cordiatly and cheerfully recommend Brother Atwood to the confidence and Christian fellowship of sister churches who may be in want of a pastor, he being an earnest, faithful, and devout minister in his Lord's vineyard, and deeply interested in Sabbath-schools and its work, for which he is well adapted.

Biographical Sketches Andrew Hicks

Robert Hicks came from England in ship " Fortune"'in 1621. His wife, Margaret Hicks, two sons, Samuel and Ephraim, and two daughters came in ship " Ann," August, 1623. He was in 1618 a leatherdresser in London. He died March 24, 1647. Samuel Hicks, eldest son of Robert, Plymouth, 1643. removed to Eastham ; there married Lydia, daughter of John Doane, Esq.; was a representative in 1649; removed later to Barnstable, where he was engaged in promoting the settlement of Dartmouth. He was among the thirty-six original purchasers of that town, who met at Plymouth, March 7, 1652, to divide their purchase. He- owned one-thirty-fourth of the town, where he removed before 1670, as on May 20th of that year we find him recorded as one of the seven freemen of Dartmouth. , ,

His descendant, -Jacob Hicks, who married Mary Earle, was a fiirmer in that part of Dartmouth now Westport, He had three children, - Oabriel, William, and Mary Durfee. Gabriel was a farmer and tanner, and owned about one hundred acres of land. He married Mary Manchester, and had eight children, - William, who married Susannah West; Joseph; Benjamin, married Mary Gibson; John, married Mary Congdon ; Thomas, married Hannah Sowle ; Comfort, married John Potter; Elizabeth, married Constant Sisson; and Susan, married William Macomber.

Joseph Hicks, born Feb. 22, 1722, was a farmer and tanner, and, like his father, was a valued citizen and of sound judgment. He married Elizabeth Waite, and reared a family of twelve children. They were Benjamin, married Eunice Briggs; Oliver, married Polly Earle ; Barney, married Sarah Cook ; Durfee, married Susannah Potter; Thomas, married Elizabeth Davis ; Comfort, married Philip Corey; Mary, married Stephen Earle; Lucy, married Philip Taber; Priscilla, married Stephen Earle '(second wife) ; Deb-

-Mr. Hicks died Oct. 12, 1798. Mrs. Hiclcs was born Jan. 20, 1727, and died Sept. 25, 1827, having attained the remarkable age of one hundred years, eight months, and five days.

Barney Hicks, third son and child of Joseph and Elizabeth (Waite) Hicks, was born in 1754. Before he was of age he became a soldier in the Revolutionary war, enlisting as a private soldier under Maj. Manchester, in a Rhode Island regiment of the colonial army, and was for some months in service. He then fitted out a sloop at Westport for the West India trade, and started on a voyage. His sloop was captured by a British cruiser, however, before night of the first day out. The weather becoming rough, the sloop could not be carried in to Newport, as the captors desired, and they bore away for New York. The storm continued, and they were cast away near Little Egg Harbor, and all were lost except Mr. Hicks, one other man, and a dog, who reached a small desert island. The cold was intense. Mr. Hicks' companion and the dog were frozen to death. Mr. Hicks was so badly frozen as to lose both feet from this cause after the lapse of twenty years. At last he attracted the attention of the residents of the Jersey shore, and they succeeded in rescuing him from his perilous condition. He remained at the house he first reached twelve months before he recovered his health so far as to do any business. Then going to Philadelphia, he engaged, with some New Bedford friends, in fitting out a privateer. In three weeks after sailing he returned to Philadelphia in charge of a captured vessel, and after receiving his share of the prize-money he paid for his year's board in New Jersey. He soon sailed as captain of another privateer. On the first voyage the vessel was captured and taken to Plymouth, England, and after a short captivity in a prison-ship, Capt. Hicks was sent to America. During a fog he incited a mutiny and captured the vessel. The fog lifting, the attempt at escape was discovered, and the vessel retaken by the British. Capt. Hicks again succeeded in capturing the vessel, and this time cut her out from the fleet and brought her safely as his prize into Boston. He made other privateering cruises, was again captured, and held for nearly two years a prisoner on a prisonship at New York. When the war closed he entered the merchant service, which he followed until he was about forty years old, when he returned to his farm in Westport, where he spent the rest of his life. He made forty-five voyages to San Domingo, and on his last voyage sailed to Africa and the East Indies.

He married, about 1798, Sarah Cook, born in 1776, and had twelve children, - -Betsey, married Nathaniel Tompkins; Aiulrcw ; Lydia, married Nathaniel Church, and now lives in Fairhaven ; Isaac, married Huldah Tompkins; John, married Caroline Almy ; Hannah, married Edward G. Sowle (their children are Sophia, Francis, Andrew, Julia, - Mrs. C. B. Tripp, and Joseph); Barney, married Catharine Seabury; AVilliam, married Eliza Seabury ; Reuben, married Sarah Kirby ; Alexander, married Elizabeth Howland ; Sarah, married Ephraim Brownell ; Joseph, married Betsey Briggs. Three of these children, Andrew, Isaac, and Lydia, are now living, each over eighty years of age. Notwithstanding his privations and vicissitudes, Mr. Hicks attained the age of seventyeight, dying in 18.32, showing that he must have had an unusually strong constitution. He was prompt, decisive, and resolute, and was esteemed by his acquaintances. His wife died in 1826, aged fifty.

Andrew Hicks, son of Barney and Sarah (Cook) Hicks, was born in Westport, Mass., June 17, 1799. His boyhood until his thirteenth year was passed on the fiirm. He then engaged as clerk in a store in Adamsville, R. I., where after eight years' service he opened a store of his own. After trading three years he returned to the farm of his ancestors. In 1836 he fitted out a vessel and began an extended whaling business, continuing from that time down to the present. He has ow'ned interests in eleven vessels at one time. He has seen the various stages of this great enterprise of other days, from its palmy and prosperous days to its decay and subsidence. He has built eight vessels for whaling, and his ventures have met with very satisfactory results.

Mr. Hicks was in former days a Whig. Since the formation of the Republican party he has been active in support of its principles. He has been justice of the peace for twenty-eight years, and represented Westport in the Legislature of 1866. He is a director of the Merchants' Bank of New Bedford, and is universally considered a sound financier, careful, prudent, and fortunate. He now owns .sixty acres of the homestead farm, dating back over two hundred years in its possession in his family. He has never married, and at the advanced age of eighty-four years has a remarkable memory of events and dates and unusual clearness of intellect.

The Gifford Family

THE GIFFORD FAMILY. From the English book of heraldry, otherwise called " The Doomsday Book," we extract the genealogy of the Giflord family down to the emigration of the first American of the name in 1630: "The family of Gifford is of high antiquity, and was seated at Hontteur, in Normandy, three hundred years before the conquest of England by William the Norman. At the battle of Hastings (1066), 'Sire Randolph de GiflTorde' was one of the Conqueror's standard-bearers, and was rewarded by him with land in Somersetsliire and Cheshire, which was created into a barony, from which his descendants had summons to Parliament. In the reign of Henry II., Sir Peter GifTord married Alice, daughter and heiress of Sir Guy de Corbuchin, with whom he had the lordship of Chillington, in

Cheshire, which was the seat of the Dukes of Buckingham of this family. Sir Stephen Gifford was one of the barons accompanying Richard CciHir de Lion to the Holy Land, and was killed at the siege of Jerusalem. His son Sir Stephen was wounded there. The family enjoyed great distinction in the English court for several centuries, and no less than five peerages existed in it at one time. Baron George Gifford was made Earl of Buckingham by Henry V., but joining the House of York against that of Lancaster, and being one of the prime favorites of Edward V., he was created Duke of Buckingham, and married the Princess Maude Plantagenet, the king's cousin. His son, George Giflbrd, Duke of Buckingham, was one of the favorites of the Duke of Gloucester, afterwards Richard IIL Being detected by that tyrant in the act of corresponding with the Earl of Richmond (Henry VII.), he was attainted of high treason and beheaded by Richard's orders. This Duke of Buckingham left several children, but as they had been deprived of their lands and titles, the mercenary king (Henry ViL) found it more convenient not to restore them, and Humphrey Stafford, a very rich and powerful nobleman, having married the oldest daughter of Henry, was created by him Duke of Buckingham. The Staffords followed the fate of their maternal ancestor (Gifford), (or the grandson of Humphrey was beheaded and his family deprived of their vast estates. Of the sons of the last George Gifford, Duke of Buckingham, George continued the first line, and continually solicited the crown and Parliament for his restoration, but, from the powerful opposition of his brother-in-law (Stafford), was always defeated. The Giffords, in the reigns of Henry VIII. and Queens Mary and Elizabeth, ineffectually put their claims before the English Parliament, never, however, being able to obtain a judgment. In the reign of James I., Sir Ambrose Gifford claimed before the House of Peers to be Duke of Buckingham, and in the second year of the reign of Charles I. his claims were disallowed on account of his poverty. Walter Gifford, the son of Sir Ambrose, emigrated from England to Massachusetts Bay in 1630, and was the originator of the American branch of this family." All thosq bearing the name in New England are traceable to this ancestor, and the descendants in America are found no unworthy bearers of the honorable name, as they have distinguished themselves in art, literature, and science. Honesty, sturdy independence, and industry have been characteristic of the name in Bristol County, where many now bear it.