THE HARBINGER

Newsletter of the Westport Historical Society, Inc. P. O. Box N 188 Westport, MA 02790-1203 www.westporthistory.com westhist@gis.net ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ VOLUME 37 FALL/WINTER 2007 NUMBER 3

Inside This Issue

Westport Matters began as a local history project. Hundreds of episodes later, what's been

achieved mounts to much more than that. P3.

What does matter is how to pronounce Charlotte White Road. Our own Bill Wyatt solves the mystery. P3.

The Third Massachusetts Regiment Volunteer Militia in the War of the Rebellion 1861-1863 provides first hand accounts of Westport-ers’ participation in the Civil War. P4.

Adamsville Pond, fresh from its completed dredging, is flush with water from the November rains. P8.

Westport groups are finishing up two restoration projects as two more get underway. P7.

During her time as volunteer at the Historical Society, Ingrid Davidge has handled almost every object in our collection. P7. Let’s Thank Bill! P3.

Letter from the Director –

Many Westporters (particularly those 70 and older) may have paused for a moment on September 21st at about 3PM to remember the devastating hurricane of 1938 that arrived as an unannounced Category 3, ravaging the coastline and destroying the communities at Horseneck. Younger generations will remember Hurricane Carol of August 31st 1954 or the Great Atlantic Hurricane of 1944 or more recently Hurricane Bob in 1991 as their own experience of the destructive forces of nature. Very few of us will even know of the Great Colonial Hurricane of August 25th 1635, the first historical record of an intense hurricane striking New England or the Great September Gale of 1815 and 1869. 2008 will mark the 70th anniversary of the 1938 hurricane and provides an appropriate opportunity to focus next year’s summer exhibition on the dramatic and far reaching events surrounding all hurricanes that have affected Westport. As the issues of climate change become ever more a global reality, a look back at the compelling experiences of individuals, the impact of the hurricanes on the landscape and on property can only help us to be prepared in the future. In preparation for the exhibition we would like to create a centralized repository for all hurricane related materials. What was your experience of the hurricanes? We invite you to write it down, send it in or email it to us. We hope to include many of your submissions in the exhibition or on our website. In addition we invite donations of materials and we would be interested to hear from anyone who would loan items for the exhibition including:

• First hand accounts, letters, diary entries • Newspapers before/after the event

• Scrapbooks • Photographs • Film footage • Artwork • Objects

Thank you and I look forward to hearing from many of you! Jenny O’Neill Director

The ’38 hurricane wreaked havoc on Acoaxet beaches (Westport Harbor), and much of the building development and landscape was changed forever. Westport population centers,

however, were spared the severe flooding that hit the coastline.

We are grateful to the Grimshaw-Gudewicz Foundation for a grant that makes it possible for us to publish The Harbinger.

The Westport Historical Society BOARD MEMBERS PRESIDENT: Tony Connors VICE-PRESIDENT: Jon W. Alden SECRETARY: Sharon L. Wypych TREASURER: Roger P. Griswold DIRECTOR: Jenny O’Neill MEMBERS AT LARGE Carol Coutinho Sally Sapienza Betty Slade Dr. William F. Wyatt COMMITTEE CHAIRS BUILDING: Timothy H. Gillespie MEMBERSHIP: Vacant COLLECTIONS: Barbara Moss ORAL HISTORY: Anne Burkholder PROGRAMS: James S. Panos HARBINGER: Jon W. Alden The Harbinger is published by the Westport Historical Society, a non-profit organization working to protect and preserve Westport’s history and heritage. Email us at: westhist@gis.net Westport Historical Society at the Bell School 25 Drift Road P.O. Box N188 Westport, MA 02790 Hours: Mondays 9-3 Wednesday 9-3 (508) 636-6011

Welcome to our New Members!

The following new members have joined the Society since the last Harbinger issue was published:

Mr. William C. Tripp Ms. Lois Conway Mr. Christopher J. Mckeon Fernando and Maryann Goulart Mr. Richard G. Rouse Mr. Michael A. Fastoso Sr. Ms. Barbara Pauls Mrs. Maureen H. Tripp Judith and Elizabeth Wicks Mrs. Gladys Cory Mr. Peter Aresty Mr. Al Dyson Mr. Joseph Araujo Ms. Carol Schene

Thanks to our Contributing Members – Fall 2007!

Ms. Barbara S. Smith Mr. and Mrs. Leo Brooks Mrs. Elsie Buess Terrance and Charlene Connolly Mr. Benjamin C. Gifford Mr. and Mrs. William T. Reed Mr. and Mrs. George Gray Mr. and Mrs. Russell T. Hart Mr. James Panos Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Pond Potter Funeral Home Mr. and Mrs. Hugh M. Morton Dr. Barbara Streeten Mr. and Mrs. Peter C. Forrester Mr. Russell Tripp Mr. and Mrs. Gregory O. Stone Mrs. Sally Yeomans Ms. Laura A. Dearborn Mr. Peter MacDougall Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Niles Dr. and Mrs. Robert Clifton Mr. and Mrs. William F. Glaser Mrs. James Weir Mr. and Mrs. Carlton W. Thompson Ms. Gioia T. Browne Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Kendig Dr. Donald T. Reilly Mr. and Mrs. Joel B. Alvord, Jr. Mr. Paul A. Tamburello Jr. Dr. and Mrs. Michael Corbett Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Rog Mr. and Mrs. Robert Behrman Mr. and Mrs. Paul Schmid Dr. and Mrs. Martin Kelly Ms. Janet W. Jones Ms. Sally Sapienza Mrs. Gladys Cory Mr. and Mrs. William Morrison Mr. Peter Aresty Mr. and Mrs. James P. Tewksbury Mrs. Carolyn C. Cody

Thanks to our Sustaining Members – Fall 2007!

Mr. Jonathan J. Goodman Ms. Nancy Crosby Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Bryant Mr. Kenneth Simon Mr. and Mrs. Neil Van Sloun Mr. and Mrs. Peter S. Kastner Dr. and Mrs. Douglas Vrona Mr. and Mrs. William F. Wyatt Ms. Lois Conway Mr. and Mrs. Henry Ashworth Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Lawrence Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Connors Mr. and Mrs. John S. Penney Mrs. Virginia H. Deknatel Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Nichols Barbara and Tom Slaight Maurice May and Lisa Arnold

Westport Historical Society Mission Statement

"To collect, preserve and document the material culture of Westport; and to educate and connect the residents of the area to their heritage through public programs, exhibits, publications and research."

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Westport Matters, a new internet web site, began as a local history project. In Claude Ledoux's words: "My goal for Westport Matters was to record what life was like at the turn of the millennium. The (video) shows (to be archived at the Westport Historical Society) would give future historians an unfiltered view of Westport and of similar small town life all across New England." Hundreds of episodes later, what's been achieved amounts to much more than that. Claude asks all the right questions. He methodically documents professions that few of us know anything about. His handheld camera work is sometimes stunning... In short, every minute of every show is packed with extraordinary material that you're not likely to find anywhere else. To date, there have been over 450 different shows. The purpose of this website is to put the very best of Westport Matters on-line so that they can be viewed 24/7, by anyone so inclined. http://westportmatters.org/

Newcomers to Westport are struck - and sometimes annoyed - when told that Charlotte White Rd. should be pronounced Charlotty and not the usual Charlotte. Long-time residents, though, and those

who would like to think of themselves as members of that group, insist that Charlotty is the correct pronunciation. As you can see from the photograph above, Charlotty is the correct rendition of that lady's name. In the medical records of Doctor Eli Handy given to the Historical Society by Eleanor Tripp, Charlotte White is listed in 1797 in the spelling Charlotty, and that should settle the matter. One never knows when and from what source a nagging issue can find its solution. Bill Wyatt

“Let’s Thank Bill” Dinner at Ellie’s Place

Nearly 40 past and present Westport Historical Society board members and their guests gathered at Ellie’s Place Thursday, November 8th to honor and thank Dr. William F. Wyatt for his eight years as President of the Society from 1999 to 2007. Anthony Connors is the incoming President. Many board members rose from time to time and spoke glowingly about Dr. Wyatt’s selfless contributions to the preservation of Westport’s history, and his insightful and devoted leadership of the Society. In a surprise presentation, State Representative Michael J. Rodrigues’ office presented Dr. Wyatt with a State Citation honoring his work with the Westport Historical Society. Veronica F. Beaulieu, Westport Selectman and Chairman, presented Dr. Wyatt with a Town Citation issued by the Board of Selectmen honoring his work with the town’s Community Preservation Committee and the Westport Historical Commission. Jon Alden, WHS Vice President, presented to Bill, on behalf of all the board members, a wonderful pottery plaque commemorating Bill's service and devotion to the Society as President. A picture of Dr. Wyatt was also presented and will hang at the Bell School honoring his 8 years as President.

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Tidbits from the Collections Corner

The poem “Our Flag.”, a partial verse shown below, was written by John G. Gammons and is included at the beginning of his book about the third regiment which is what my article is about. This wonderful book is a first hand account of Westport men who were actually there. It is an invaluable resource for scholars of the Civil War. There is a map of their battle region and biographies of all the men. These guys met in reunion several times at Dighton Rock, Fairhaven, and even Lincoln Park, Westport. Marching Through Flaming Arches for Their Country by Barbara Moss

On Monday afternoon, April 15, 1861, Governor Andrew of Massachusetts issued Special Order No. 14 in response to President Lincoln’s call for men to put down the Rebellion. It was dispatched by special messenger and by noon the next day, despite a northeaster, melting snow, and muddy roads, Companies A and B of Bristol County, part of the Third Regiment were in Boston. These military descendants of the Minutemen embarked April 17th on the steamer S. R. Spaulding and were the first to leave Boston to meet the rebels. The Third Massachusetts Regiment Volunteer Militia in the War of the Rebellion 1861-1863 provides first hand accounts of Westporters’ participation in the Civil War. Compiled and, in part, written by the Rev. John G. Gammons PhD, a Westport resident, it was published in 1906 by Snow and Farnham Co. in Providence. It came to our attention when Richard Gammons Rouse came to the Bell Schoolhouse with a family genealogy and a memoir of his summers in Westport. The Society purchased the book from a rare book dealer. The Third Regiment initially was mustered for a 3 month term of service. They were sent to burn the Gosport Navy Yard in Virginia to keep supplies from falling into the hands of the Confederates. Gammons wrote that they were “the 1st volunteer Northern troop to land aggressively in Southern soil.” Gammons also recorded that Company G had the honor of taking in the first three “Contrabands,” the north’s term for escaping slaves. This was in the very beginning months of the war and apparently black people were already making a break for freedom. The regiment returned to Boston and was mustered out of service July 22, 1861. In August of 1862 President Lincoln called for more men and Third Regiment volunteers enlisted for a nine-month term. This time there were 52 Westport volunteers serving mostly in Company D, all Fall River and Westport men, but some Westporters also served in Companies A, C, E and F. John Gammons was a corporal in Company A. Most of the Westporters were privates but E. F. Manchester was a sergeant in Company C. William H. Wright and Charles P. Tripp were corporals in Company D. Rev. Gammons stresses that all the men were volunteers and at this point in the war towns were either not paying bounties or only small sums to get men to serve for their towns.

They were mustered into service on September 23, 1862 at Camp Joe Hooker in Lakeville. After a week’s furlough to say goodbye to friends and family, and just a month’s training, Company D was packed aboard the steamer Mississippi with the 5th Regiment and half of the Third. The rest of the Third Regiment sailed on the Merrimac. They sailed to Morehead City in North Carolina and from there rode in open flatbed railway cars to Newbern. (Today this town is spelled New Bern and is where Pepsi Cola originated). The history of Company D was written by Capt. Andrew R. Wright and read at a reunion at Lincoln Park. He noted that they called their first camp “Camp Richmond” after their colonel and it was not until an alarm of an enemy attack, later proved false, that the men were issued arms. They were given Austrian rifle muskets, wrested from a Confederate blockade runner. The weapons had weak springs in their locks making it impossible to explode percussion caps. Some tinkering made the guns more usable but they never were satisfactory. The regiment was thus assigned mainly to garrison duty.

But on December 10th they were issued serviceable shoes, 2 pairs of socks, 40 rounds of ammunition, three days of cooked rations, and told to have their knapsacks packed onto wagons. The next day, they marched down the Neuse Road heading for their objective, the railroad bridge at Goldsboro. The enemy had cut down and thrown trees across road to slow their progress. Most memorable, and mentioned in every account of their service, were the trees the Confederates set afire. The Third Regiment marched “under a magnificent arch of fire formed by the blazing trunks of turpentine trees that lined either side of the road and almost as far as the eye could reach on either side of the column.” The turpentine trees were likely Pinus palustris or yellow pine, which grows in southeastern United States.

On December 14th at Kinston they were in the line of battle for the first time. However, their brigade, being in the rear line of battle, was not actively engaged in the fight. Company D, on the extreme left of the line, was close to the field hospital and for the first time the young men saw the grisly sight of the wounded and dying being hauled from the front.

The following day, December 15th, the combatants engaged in a fierce artillery battle at Whitehall. Between Kinston and Whitehall Rev. Gammons described an old colored woman standing by the side of the road and

calling out to the passing army “You honeys of Lincoln’s army need fear nothing from nobody between here and Richmond! De good Lawd bless you all!”

By December 17th they were at Goldsboro. After a sharp engagement the enemy retired. The men of the company stacked arms, burned the bridge and tore up the railroad tracks. The enemy returned and charged the Union lines. This was the first time Company D met the enemy face to face. Capt. Wright described them as coming down the railroad embankment like a swarm of immense gray ants. New York artillery and Belger’s R.I. Battery of Parrott guns rapidly pulled in front of the infantry lines. They hurled charges of grape and canister at the rebels, devastating them, leaving the field covered with dead men.

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They added Kinston, Whitehall and Goldsboro to their colors and returned to Newbern, their mission accomplished. The company historian records: “This action ended the active hostilities of this expedition of the 18th Army Corp into the enemy’s country. It failed of its co-operative purpose as the Army of the Potomac had been disastrously defeated at Fredericksburg a short time previous, enabling the commander of the Confederate forces to reinforce at any point.” In other words: we did our part but the others guys didn’t.

The company history continues with an account of the rest of their time in Newbern. There was an assault on Newbern turned back by Union gunboats, but the Westporters’ big battle had been at Goldsboro. Company D returned to Boston on the steamer “Tillie” arriving to cheers when they marched to the railway station and saluted the governor as they passed the State House. They were mustered out on June 26 1863.

This history of the Third Regiment also includes short biographies of every man in the regiment and is an invaluable source of information.

About Rev. John G. Gammons: John G. Gammons served in the Third Regiment and then as recruiting officer for other Massachusetts regiments. We have the sword presented to him in September, 1864 at the Pacific Union Church. He was a Methodist pastor to several churches. The United Methodist Church, Westport Point, by Glenda Broadbent, lists him at the Westport Point United Methodist Church from 1879 to 1882. Macomber and Wertz’ state in Westporters and the Civil War that Gammons rented a house from Jehiel Baker and artist Mercy Etta Baker at 1998 Main Road and was responsible for decorative painting in the sanctuary and a history of the church. He died January

12, 1912 and is buried at the Point cemetery. His poem “Our Flag” appears at the beginning of his history of the regiment.

Left: A very impressive collection of autograph books was recently donated. These books contain signatures of many Westporters dating from the 1880s to the 1890s. The highly decorative covers of these books are matched by the elaborate autographs inside. Right: Copies of 1905 and 1910 business directories for Westport now in the collection of the Historical Society provide a fascinating glimpse into the thriving entrepre-neurial spirit of the early 20th century. They contain a list of residents, their professions and the street of residence.

New Acquisitions

• Medal for perfect attendance Westport High School 1932 donated by Barbara Marcotte

• Gammons genealogy donated by Richard Gammons Rouse • Class of 1955 school memorabilia donated by Ginny Sexton • Class of 1955 reunion donated by Al Dyson • Bristol County: A Descriptive and Biographical Record, 1899

donated by Nick Jansen • Photographs and scrapbook donated by Elvira Smith • Early 20th century newspaper clippings, Horseneck railway

donated by Claude Ledoux • DVD Cadmans Neck after 1938 hurricane donated by Anne

Larkin • Abraham Manchester store memorabilia donated by Sarah Davol

Test • Westport schools class photos donated by Valerie Tripp Gordon • Wedding dress, Broadbent dairy bottle donated by Walter and

Glenda Broadbent

• Nelson dairy bottle donated by Nelson Dairy bottle donated by Nick and Varick Niles

• Photographs of the construction of Andy’s Bar donated by Mary Schmidt

• Head of Westport photos and Fair memorabilia donated by Anna Duphiney

• North Westport Memories donated by Deolinda Antunes Cangiano

• Westport Factory postcards donated by M. Claire and Arthur Guilmette

• Westport Point School, Milton Earle school photographs donated by Suzanne Palmer

• Description of class of 1898 by Frank Ellis Brightman, copy donated by Daniel Tripp

• Westport High School yearbooks and autograph books donated by William Logan

• School papers belonging to Myra Mosher donated by Michael Alexander

• Hix Bridge Sailing trophy donated by Elizabeth Flemming

We thank you all for your generosity! Due to space limitations, we are unable to list all donations, please contact us if you would like to be mentioned in the next issue of the Harbinger.

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The Photo Contest and Exhibition was supported in part by a grant to the Westport Historic Society from the Westport Arts Council. The Helen Ellis Exhibit Space at Lees was developed and is managed by the Arts Council, in cooperation with Lees Market. Both the Photo Contest and Exhibition as well as the Exhibit Space were made possible by funding from the Helen Ellis Charitable Trust, administered by the Bank of America.

SPECIAL REPORT

“Ralph Guild Day!”

Want to view more photos? Please visit http://www.aldenhill.com/Community_Events_Preview_Page.htm

Photos by Jon Alden/WHS

Calla’s Poem to Ralph - August 25, 2007 By Tom and Sally Freestone (As recited by Ralph Guild’s Wife, Calla, In classic limerick)

There once was a man named Ralph Guild Who loved to restore and rebuild. He put Gray’s Mill right, And, in spite of the fight, He dredged the Mill Pond, so it filled.

Ralph brought folk together with skill: Some designed, some could build, some could mill, From both near and away, Even from the U.K.! He made sure that they each filled the bill.

“I’ll keep the mill going,” said he, “It’s how I believe it should Be.” He pledged to John Hart To be true from the start, And his word is his bond, as you see.

Today it’s Ralph’s praises we sing. Many thanks and great tributes we bring. Three cheers for the man, Who’s completed his plan. He’s History’s Johnny-Cake KING! HIP HIP HOORAY! HIP HIP HOORAY! HIP HIP HOORAY!

Ralph first heard in the late 70’s that the Gray’s Grist Mill and Adamsville

Pond property was up for sale. Fearful of a change in its use, he purchased the property in 1980,

insuring then current owner, John Hart, with a handshake that he would preserve and continue to

operate the grist mill. Ralph was true to his word.

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Westport Historical Society News – Fall/Winter 2007

Westport Point House Tour

The Friends of the Westport Council on Aging (FWCOA) are planning a house tour on Wednesday, June 25, 2008. Volunteers are needed to staff ten houses for the tour. Tickets for the tour will be half price for those willing to give some time as guides. The tour will benefit the Westport Senior Center. If you can help, please call Rosemary Lenrow at (508) 636-4494 or Linda Olsen at (508) 636-3809.

Upcoming Events January 17th – Pete Baker will present a program on the Waite-Potter House 7 PM at Lees Market Community Room, 796 Main Road, Westport

Got an idea for a new program? Share it with us! Contact our Program Committee Chair, James Panos. Email him at: westhist@gis.net

Volunteer Spotlight -

Ingrid Davidge

During her time as volunteer at the Historical Society, Ingrid Davidge has handled almost every object in our collection as we reorganized our storage spaces and storage locations. Recently she has completed work on our textile and costume collection, methodically recording box locations and any additional information and then entering this information into the database. The reward for this methodical project has been the chance to discover many unusual and beautiful collection items including some of the more elegant dresses from the 19th century and to recommend some of these objects for future display. The Historical Society is indebted to her interest and persistence and, as always, we invite others to volunteer for collections related projects.

Restoration work is beginning on the Westport Life Saving Station No. 69 near Gooseberry Island. The Westport Fisher-men’s Association is under-taking the ambitious project. “This is a special part of Westport’s seafaring history,” said Howard Gifford, member.

Restoration work is complete on the Waite-Potter Chimney. The original architectural plans detailing the chimney’s design was “an exciting drawing to be able to use,” said Pete Baker. The house is one of the earliest known homes in Westport.

Through the courtesy of Alden Hill Real Estate, we now have two new virtual tours on-line at: www.westporthistory.com

Little School House Restoration

Adamsville Pond Restoration

From the home page, just scroll down under the Announcements heading.

Also, visit a new web site that lists and displays photo essays of all WHS Events and program meetings over the last year, and now includes on-line all past issues of the Harbinger:

http://www.aldenhill.com/A_Step_Back_in_Time.htm

Jenny O’Neill gave the WHS Annual Report, and Brenda Figuerido provided the entertainment with a detailed Powerpoint presentation of the Paquachuck Inn’s fascinating history. Over 100 members and friends of the WHS came to listen and to honor Bill Wyatt, retiring President.

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Membership o Individual - $15.00

o Family - $30.00

o Contributing - $50.00

o Sustaining - $150.00

o Special Gift - ____________

Please make checks payable to: Westport Historical Society P. O. Box N 188 Westport, MA 02790-1203 Name: _________________________________

Address: _______________________________

City: ___________________________________

State: _____________ Zip: _________________

Phone: _ (_______) _________-_____________

Email: __________________________________

Thank you for your generous support!

Jon Alden/WHS

The Dredge Report!

Fresh from its dredging, Adamsville Pond is now filled to capacity with the November rains. Many improvements may go unnoticed in this massive effort by Ralph Guild. The old

fish ladder has been completely restored, a new ‘plunge pool’ at the western, roadside pond end will filter water run-off from Adamsville Road, and Don Lemonde shored up the crumbling roadside support wall with a massive, dry stone

wall foundation. The dam now includes a nicely carpentered, oak-handled, hand-operated sluice board to

control water levels in the pond.