original members were Jesse Martin, Ebenezer L. Foster, Dr. Wilbur Southworth, Noble E. Bates, John Clark, William Clark, Elisha Wing, John B. Blankenship, John Bassett, and Paddock Bates.

Rev. David Pickering, Rev. James M. Bugbee, and others preached occasionally for a year or two, after which the society had regular pastors, as follows: 1831, Robert L. Kilam; 1832, Alanson St. Clair; in 1833 the church edifice was built; 1834-41, Theodore K. Taylor; 1841-44, Henry C. Vose; 1844-47, M. E. Hawes; 1847-52, George J. Sanger; 1852-54, Lucius Holmes; 1854-57, Henry C. Vose; 1857-61, James E. Bruce; 1861-66, J. E. Davenport; 186684, Henry C. Vose.

The three pastorates of Rev. Henry C. Vose cover a period of twenty-five years, and under his faithful ministrations the church at the present time is enjoying a good degree of prosperity.

1852-54.-Gilbert Hathaway, Paul Briggs, Henry D. Allen. 1855.-Gilbert Hathaway, Barnabas Hiller, Consider Benson. 1856-57.-Andrew J. Hadley, Barnabas II. Gurnoy, William Clark.

1858-61.-Andrew J. Hadley, Barnabas II. Gurney, Joseph S. Luce.

1862.-Joseph S. Luce, Reuben B. Swift, Obed Delano. 1863. Joseph S. Luce, Obed Delano, Barnabas Hiller. 1864.-George H. Kelley, Franklin L. Hathaway, Ezra S. Parlow.

1865. Obed Delano, George II. Kelley, Franklin L. Hathaway. 1866-68.-George H. Kelley, Samuel H. Elder, Joseph S. Luce. 1869-71.-Joseph S. Luce, George H. Kelley, Henry D. Allen. 1872.-Joseph S. Luce, George H. Kelley, Obed Delano. 1873-76.-Joseph S. Luce, Obed Delano, Horatio N. Washburn. 1877-78.-Joseph S. Luce, Obed Delano, James H. Allen. 1879-81.-Joseph S. Luce, Obed Delano, Isaac N. Hathaway. 1882.-Isaac N. Hathaway, Andrew J. Hadley, Leander C. Cowing.

1883-84.-Andrew J. Hadley, Leander C. Cowing, Frederick P. Vose.

War of the Rebellion.-Marion furnished about one hundred men, and had a surplus of ten at the end of the war, over and above all demands. Two were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by the town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was four

thousand two hundred and twenty-five dollars and forty-five cents ($4225.45).

The amount of money raised and expended by the town during the war for State aid to soldiers' families and repaid by the commonwealth was as follows: In 1861, $86.57; in 1862, $724; in 1863, $1115; in 1864, $1330; in 1865, $478; total amount, $3733.57.

The following is a list of soldiers and sailors from Marion in the war of the Rebellion:

Industries.-SALT.-From the days of the Revolutionary war until within a short time salt was manufactured on the sea-coast of Marion, and this town was one of the last to relinquish the business in Southern Massachusetts.

WHALE-FISHERY.-For nearly a century vessels engaged in the whale-fishery have sailed from this port. Sometimes there has been quite a fleet, but at

Box-BOARDS, SHINGLES, STAVES, ETC.-Large quantities of these are made at the mills of Dr. W. E. Sparrow and Ezra S. Parlow. The box-boards are carried to New York, Philadelphia, and other places, and the business gives employment to quite a large number of meu.

OYSTERS, CRANBERRIES, ETC.-The oysters grown here are of excellent flavor, and large quantities are sent annually to different markets. During the months of summer many are engaged in catching scale- fish, which are transported to Boston, New Bedford, and other places.

Within a few years the attention of the people has been directed to cranberry cultivation, and it promises soon to become an extensive and lucrative business.

Social Organizations.-Pythagorean Lodge, F. and A. M., was organized Aug. 20, 1861. John D. Allen, W. M.; M. E. Simmons, S. W.; and J. E. Davenport, J. W. The present officers are as follows: F. B. Coggeshall, W. M.; F. P. Vose, S. W.; H. A. Shurtleff, J. W.; Ezra S. Parlow, Treas.; S. W. Hall, Sec.; Rev. H. C. Vose, Chaplain; George B. Nye, S. D.; Charles D. Bolles, J. D.; William T. Briggs, S. S.; D. H. Bowman, J. S.; R. S. Ryder, I. S.; Daniel Galline, Tyler.

The following is a list of the Past Masters of this lodge: John D. Allen, J. S. Luce, J. L. Meigs, Job A. T. Eddy, Joseph Blankenship, Joseph L. Cole, A. B. Conro, George B. Nye.

A lodge of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows was organized in Marion in 1845 by District Deputy Grand Master William H. Taylor, of New Bedford. The first officers of the lodge were as follows: Rev. Nathan S. Clark, N. G.; Walton N. Ellis, V. G.; George Delano, Sec. and Treas.; Robert W. Hammett, Warden; Ichabod N. Lewis, Conductor.

The charter of this lodge was surrendered in the year 1855.

Tabor Academy.'-Tabor Academy was opened to students in September, 1877, and has at this date, July, 1884, been in active operation for seven years. During this time about one hundred different students have been connected with the school, although its number of pupils has at no time exceeded thirty-five. Of these students, seven have entered college, two have completed a medical course of study, and three have entered the Boston School of Technology.

All the others, so far as known, with the exception of three, have here completed their education. The courses of study are so arranged that the pupil may fit for college or pursue miscellaneous studies at his option.

In 1880 it was found necessary to build a house for the principal, with accommodations for those who might wish to leave their children under his care, and a new building was erected. This new building, like the academy, is heated by steam, and designed to accommodate with pleasant quarters eight or ten pupils.

It is the aim of this school to give thorough instruction, and to encourage in its pupils a desire for the real rather than the showy, and to develop the moral as well as the intellectual element.

The school has been from the first under one principal,-C. P. Howland, A.B., of Yale. It was soon found, however, that one teacher could not do satisfactorily the work necessary for even this small school, and since 1878 an assistant has been employed. These, up to the present time, have been Rev. C. H. Phelps, Russell Little (a graduate of Bowdoin), John Bates (a graduate of Columbia), and II. L. Crane (a graduate of Worcester Academy).

The school is not incorporated, and is entirely under the control of its founder, Mrs. Elizabeth Tabor, who almost wholly supports it from a desire to improve the young of her native town. The expenses are-for tuition, twenty-four dollars a year; for tuition and a home with the principal, three hundred dollars.

While not in any sense a denominational school, it will probably always be under the management of those who sympathize with the Congregational faith.

Its history as yet lies in the future, but we are convinced that it has done, and will continue to do, a noble work in fitting for the proper performance of life's duties the young of Marion and adjoining

towns.

1 By C. P. Howland.

ney-General George Marston, of New Bedford; Hon. John B. D. Coggswell, of Yarmouth, president of the

Senate; Hon. William W. Crapo, M.C., of New Bedford; Hon. Thomas Russell and wife, of Boston; John W. Hammond, Esq., city solicitor, Cambridge; Edward Atkinson, Esq., Brookline; George O. Shattuck, Esq., Mattapoisett; Hon. Charles J. Holmes, Fall River; John Eddy, Esq., Providence, R. I.; Gen. E. W. Pierce, Freetown; Mrs. Zerviah Gould Mitchell, and her two daughters, Tewelema and Wotonekanuske, North Abington; Henry Morton Dexter, D.D., New Bedford, editor of the Congregationalist; Rev. William H. Cobb, Uxbridge; Rev. Isaiah C. Thatcher, Lakeville; Rev. Thomas T. Richmond, Taunton; Hon. William T. Soule, mayor of New Bedford; Rev. Frederick Upham, D.D., Fairhaven; Hon. Bonum Nye, North Brookfield; Matthew H. Cushing, Esq., Middleboro'; George M. Barnard, Esq., Mattapoisett; William H. Sherman, Esq., New Bedford; Noah C. Perkins, Esq., Middleboro'.

The officers of the day were as follows: Gerard C. Tobey, Esq., of Wareham, president; Wilson Barstow, Esq., of Mattapoisett, vice-president; George Purrington, Jr., of Mattapoisett, chief marshal; Rev. Henry C. Vose, of Marion, toast-master; Rev. William Leonard, of North Rochester, chaplain.

The chief marshal selected for his aids Joseph L. Cole and Henry A. Shurtleff, of Mattapoisett; Wil

liam II. C. Delano and Dr. Robert T. Delano, of Marion.

The Standish Guards, of Plymouth, Company II, First Regiment Infantry, M. V. M., Herbert Morissey, captain, tendered their services as escort on the occasion, and were accepted.

The Middleboro' Brass Band, twenty-two men, J. M. Carter, leader, discoursed delicious music.

A selected choir of fifty voices, in charge of George Mason Delano, of Marion, sang at intervals appropriate airs, that added much to the interest of the occasion.

The historical oration was delivered by Rev. Noble Warren Everett, of Wareham, a grandson of one of the early ministers of the old Rochester plantation.

At the conclusion of the oration an intermission was taken for dinner, which consisted of roast clams, baked fish, corn, potatoes, lobsters, tripe, bread, tea, coffee, etc. One hundred bushels of clams constituted the main portion of the bake.

After dinner, the vast multitudes gathered about the stand again, when responses to toasts were made by most of the eminent men present.

But few historic celebrations within the limits of the Old Colony have drawn together such an immense assembly, and at none has there been more of the feast of reason and the flow of soul.

HISTORY OF

ROCHESTER.

CHAPTER I.

EARLY HISTORY, ETC.1

Derivation of Name-The Sippican Grant--First Settlements-First Proprietors' Meeting-Names of Proprietors--Indian Claims--Names of First Settlers-Incorporation of TownOccupation of Inhabitants--Manufactures-The French War -Revolutionary War-Votes of the Town-Names of Soldiers-Timothy Ruggles, The Tory Champion-Lieut. Col. Ebenezer White-Elnathan Haskell-War of the RebellionRochester's First Representative--Petition for Annexation to Plymouth County.

THE town of Rochester received its name from the ancient city of Rochester, in Kent, England, whence many of the first settlers came. It is recorded in history that the oysters found on those shores were celebrated by the Romans for their excellence, and the pioneers, finding an abundance of delicious shellfish here, in memory of their former home, very appropriately gave to this tract the name of Rochester.

First Settlement.-How the white men first became possessed of the Sippican or Rochester territory, whether by purchase or conquest, we are unable to determine, and no gleaner who has preceded us has been able satisfactorily to answer this question. A large part of it, but not the whole, as stated by some, was granted to Thomas Besbeck and others, Jan. 22, 1638-39. In 1647, "Liberty is granted unto the townsmen of Plymouth to make use of the land at Sippican for herding and keeping of cattle and wintering of them there as they shall see cause."

In 1651,

"For the continual support of the township of Plymouth for the place and seat of government, to prevent the dispersing of the inhabitants thereof, it is ordered that Sippican be granted to the town of Plymouth to be a general help to the inbabitants thereof, for the keeping of their cattle, and to remain for the common use and good of the said township."

In 1666, King Philip, sachem of Pokanoket, youngest son of Massasoit, gave power "to Watuch

1 Compiled from the very able historical address delivered by Rev. N. W. Everett, at Rochester, July 22, 1879.

poo and Sampson, two Indian chiefs, and their brethren, to hold and make sale of these lands to whom they pleased."

And on the 24th of December, 1668, Philip informed the honorable court at Plymouth that they were for sale.

In Plymouth court orders dated June 3, 1679, we find the following:

“In answer unto the proposition of several that would purchase lands at Sippican and places adjacent, the Court are glad to take notice of what they propound and offor themselves to oblige in order to a comfortable settlement of a Plantation there, and shall be ready to accommodate them as far as they can, on reasonable and easy terms, and give them all due encouragement, if they can procure some more substantial men that are prudent persons and of considerable estate that will make a speedy settlement of themselves and families with them, and wo desire and expect to hear further from them at the next meeting of this Court by adjournment in July next, at which time, we may, if satisfied in the promises, bargain with them for the lands they desire, or put it in a way to be done."

It seems that " some more substantial men, who were prudent persons," were procured, for on the 22d of July, 1679, the purchase was made and the deed was given. On the same day the purchasers met, organized, and transacted considerable business, at the house of Mr. Joseph Bradford, in Plymouth.

The territory they purchased embraced the whole of Rochester, Mattapoisett, Marion, and a much larger part of Wareham than has generally been supposed. The deed shows that the easterly line was the westerly jumping brook, now known as the Silvanus Besse Brook, the Agawam and Wank inco Rivers. But they must have soon purchased additional land, for hundreds of acres were assigned to Thomas Clark and others on the cast side of the Wank inco River.

Soon after the purchase was made, an Indian named Charles, alias Paumpmutt of Ashimuitt, claimed a portion of the purchased possessions, but on the payment of six pounds, New England money, renounced all title.

Nov. 19, 1769, Lieut. Joseph Lothrop, agent of the company, paid Peter Suscacow five shillings to satisfy his claim.

In 1683, William Connett, an Indian, claimed the whole land they had purchased. He proved a bitter and stubborn contestant, but finally entered into an agreement with Thomas Hinckley and Joseph Lothrop that was satisfactory to both parties.

tory on the Weweantit River, and in 1823, Benjamin Lincoln built another on the same stream.

In 1824, Pardon Taber built a paper-mill on the Weweantit; and another paper establishment was erected near the Tremont Depot, by Wheelwright & Co., about the year 1864.

In 1825 the manufacture of hollow-ware gave employment to hundreds of citizens, and the business was carried on to a greater or less extent for many years prior and subsequent to that date.

French War.-In the French war of 1757-58 nine citizens of Wareham-John Bates, Barnabas Bates, Jabez Besse, Henry Saunders, Oliver Norris, Joshua Besse, Ebenezer Chubbuck, Joseph Norris, and Samuel Besse-went to Cape Breton and assisted in taking that place, some in the land forces and some in the navy, and Samuel Besse lost his life in the expedition. About the same time, Nathaniel Besse, Gershom Morse, Newbury Morse, Elnathan Sampson, and Nathaniel Chubbuck went into the Northern army and were employed in taking Canada.

Rochester was incorporated as a town June 4, 1686. Industrial Pursuits. For a long period after the first settlement the principal occupation of the inhabitants was agriculture. The products of the soil, together with game from the woods and fish from the adjacent waters, gave them an ample subsistence.

During the war of the Revolution, when salt was in great demand, the citizens embarked largely in manufacturing this article by boiling sea-water. About the year 1806, the making of salt by evaporation was commenced and continued some forty years.

In former years ship-building has been carried on to a considerable extent.

The first cotton-factory here was built in 1812. This and the fulling-mill occupied the present site of Parker mills.

In 1816, Curtis Tobey, Esq., erected a cotton-fac

army at the time it was defeated near the city of Carthagena, in South America, in 1741, and also at the taking of Havana, in Cuba, in 1763.

Revolutionary War.-The town of Rochester took action in reference to the approaching struggle at an early day.

On Dec. 28, 1772, after reading the letter of correspondence from Boston, chose Deacon Seth Dexter, Samuel Briggs, Jr., Ebenezer White, Nathaniel Hammond, David Wing, Noah Sprague, and Thomas West to consider the matter and report at the adjourned meeting.

Jan. 11, 1773, they reported the following resolves, which were adopted by the town:

"Resolved, That we are entitled to all the Rights of natural born subjects of Great Britain, and have not forfeited said