Bridgewater Review

Volume 6 | Issue 1 Article 11

Sep-1988 Historical Commentary: Mr. Lincoln's Bridgewater Connections Jordan Fiore Bridgewater State College

Jean Stonehouse Bridgewater State College, [email protected]

Recommended Citation Fiore, Jordan and Stonehouse, Jean (1988). Historical Commentary: Mr. Lincoln's Bridgewater Connections. Bridgewater Review, 6(1), 21-24. Available at: http://vc.bridgew.edu/br_rev/vol6/iss1/11

This item is available as part of Virtual Commons, the open-access institutional repository of Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater, Massachusetts. HISTORICAL COMMENTARY

n the second quarter of the own and was proficient nineteenth century, Bridge­ enough to become a surveyor Iwater was a small town in the town and then a teach­ slowly changing from a er at nineteen. rural farming communiry to In 1813 he went to Hing­ a rypical New England manu­ ham, where he taught school facturing town. Although for several years. The war growing slowly, Bridgewater of 1812 had begun, and was not isolated. With roots he witnessed the battle reaching back in Old Colony between the the Chesapeake history to a land grant that and the Shannon in Massa­ made it a plantation of the chusetts Bay. He also served town of Duxbury, the town as an officer in the local mi­ was firmly ronnected to the litia company organized to world around it. From the respond to any land attack by seventeenth to the nineteenth the British. Fortunately, the century, ships used the Taun­ unit was never called to active ton River to gain access to the dury. inland port of Taunton, and His students in Hingham from 1790 until the twentieth included many men who were century, New Englanders built destined to become important ships on the river in the Tit­ in the town and in the Com­ icut section of Bridgewater. monwealth. Here, too, he met Bridgewater people advocated and wooed Deborah Lincoln, the development of a highway a descendant of Samuel Lin­ connecting Boston and New coln. They were married in Bedford, and Bridgewater Hingham in 1815. became a half-way stop on the Artemas Hale's talent was highway. By 1846, the Old too great to be spent on the Colony Line and its Abington duties of a country schoolmas­ Branch connected Bridgewater ter, and at the end of the War to Boston, Plymouth and Fall of 1812, the Hales moved to River by rail. East Bridgewater where he By the 1840's when the entered the mercantile busi­ state normal school (later to ness. A few years later, in become Bridgewater State 1819, he became a clerk for College) was established there MR. LINCOLN'S Lazell Perkins & Co., the lead­ and the subjects of this paper ing iron manufacturers of the were establishing themselves area, and then moved to the as town leaders, Bridgewater's BRIDGEWATER firm of Carver, Wasburn & population was between two Co., one of the country's lead­ and three thousand, and it ing manufacturers of cotton could boast of several boot CONNECTIONS gins, where he became clerk and shoe factories, two air and and then agent and treasurer cupola furnaces which cast of the rapidly growing firm. over 400 tons of iron a year, by Jordan Fiore and Jean StonehOtIJ8 It was a propitious time to two forges, two nail manufac­ ..,..------r------...... ,.. become involved in the manu- turers, a tack factory and two perhaps beyond. In 1846, he tionship with Lincoln - brief facture and sale of cotton gins. companies that manufactured was elected to Congress and as it was - as long as he lived. Thanks to the large number cotton gins. went to Washington the fol­ -1- of cotton manufacturing firms In the same decade Abra­ lowing year. Like Abraham Lincoln, that were established in Mas­ ham Lincoln was advancing In the fifteen years preced­ Artemas Hale came from a sachusetts from Lowell south in Illinois politics and the ing his election to the Ameri­ humble background. He was to Fall River and New Bed­ profession of the law. He was can Presidency, Lincoln's path born in Winchendon, a town ford in the first quarter of the a Whig leader in the Illinois would cross the paths of two in north central Massachusetts nineteenth century, a steady legislature and a politician of Bridgewater's successful near the New Hampshire supply of cotton was needed. whose views were listened to businessmen several times, border, on October 20, 1783. The gin, which merely separ­ in the whirl of Illinois politics. and the contacts affected all His father was a farmer who ated the seed from the cotton By the middle of the decade, three men. Both of the had served as a captain in the ball without damaging the Abraham Lincoln, then in his Bridgewater men, Artemas American Revolution. Hale cotton, allows for the use of middle 30's, was destined for Hale and Joshua Eddy Crane, attended the district school in short-fibred cotton in making service in the United States were locally well-respected, Winchendon, worked on the cotton thread for manufacture House of Representatives and and each treasured his rela- family farm, studied on his into cloth. Cotton-growing in 21 the South and cotton-manu­ three years. In addition, he cended from the same Samuel grandfather went from Rock­ facturing in the North was a moderator for town Lincoln of Hingham who was ingham county in Virginia, to and in Europe flourished. meetings for five years. He Abraham Lincoln's first Kentucky, about the year It was also a propitious also found time to serve in American ancestor. From the 1782; and, two years a/fer­ time to become actively the local fire department, and, study of consanguinity charts wards, was killed by the Indi­ involved in local social and when that agency was reor­ we know that Deborah ans. We have a vague tradi­ political affairs. In addition to ganized and obtained new Lincoln and Abraham Lincoln tion, that my great-grand­ his business career, Hale took equipment, Artemas Hale, were fourth cousins twice father went from Penn­ part in the social and political though sixty-one years of age removed. sylvania to Virginia; and that life of the town. He joined the at the time, was chosen chief Solomon Lincoln lived in he was a quaker. Further back First Church in Bridgewater, engmeer. Hingham, MassachusettS. A then this, I have never heard served on several church In his early years he had polished and urbane lawyer and anything. It may do no harm committees and was involved been a Federalist and later a civic leader, Lincoln was the to say that "Abraham" and in the expansion of the National Republican and a author of an excellent history "Mordecai" are common church and in the erection of names in our family; while a new church building in the name, "Levi" so common 1845. He was raised in the among the Lincolns of New Friendship Lodge of Masons England, I have not known in in Bridgewater, served in sev­ any instance among us. eral posts, and finally became Owing to my father being left Worshipful Master in 1823. an orphan at the age of six Always public spirited, he years, in poverty, and in a was an officer and trustee of new country, he became a the Bridgewater Academy, wholly uneducated man; which had been established in which I suppose is the reason 1799, and was its treasurer for why I know so little of our years. When the Common­ family history. I believe I can wealth proposed that state say nothing more that would normal schools should be at all interest you. Ifyou shall established, he served with be able to trace any connec­ the Rev. Charles Brooks, tion between yourself and me, former PresidentJohn Quincy or in fact, whether you shall Adams and Senator Daniel or not. I should be pleased to Webster on a committee to have a line from you at any ask that one of the schools be time. established in Plymouth Very Respectfully, County. He headed the com­ A. Lincoln mittee that raised funds for the school, and he argued suc­ Abraham Lincoln's letter ARTEMAS HALE cessfully that the school interested Solomon Lincoln should be established in supporter ofJohn Quincy of the town and a serious Lin­ very much, and he wrote on Bridgewater. He collected Adams. When the Whig coln genealogist. He wrote to March 12 raising several more funds from individuals and party was organized, he joined Artemas Hale on March 2, questions. The Congressman's towns and contributed a great it, and in 1844 he was sup­ 1948, asking Hale to ask letter shows that Solomon part of his own time and ported for United States Abraham Lincoln questions Lincoln had piqued Abraham pledged his own funds to Representative by his party's about his family background. Lincoln's genealogical curios­ insure the success of the caucus. In the election that Hale showed Lincoln the cor­ ity. Lincoln replied again and school. He was the school's followed, although he attained respondence and on March 6, in the next few months made best friend for forty years. a plurality, he could not gain the Illinois Congressman wrote a number of inquiries to peo­ His record in public service the required majority and no to Solomon Lincoln as follows: ple about his background. He was outstanding. One local one was elected. The follow­ wrote Solomon Lincoln on historian wrote that "his ster­ ing year he was elected. Dear Sir: Our letter to Mr. March 24, 1848 as follows: ling integrity and ability Although this estimate Hale, in which you do me the Washington, attracted the attention of his must be based on conjecrure, honor of making some kind March 24, 1848 townsmen, and he was called it is not difficult to determine inquiries concer,ning me, has to various offices of trust and why Hale was attracted to been handed me by Mr. Hale, Mr. Solomon Lincoln responsibility which he filled Lincoln. His wife was a with the request that I should Dear Sir: with rare acceptance." Lincoln, and Hale wondered if give you the desired informa­ Yours ofthe 21st is received. I He served as town clerk she and Abraham Lincoln tion. I was born February shall not be able to answer and town treasurer in 1822, were related. Lincoln could 12th, 1809 in Hardin County, your interrogatories very fully; 1823, 1825, 1827 and 1828, as give him no answers, but the Kentucky. My father's name is I will, however, do the best I state representative in 1826, questions did cause a chain Thomas, my grandfather's can. I have mentioned that 1827, 1828, 1829, and 1831 reaction for both of them. was Abraham, - the same my grandfather's name was and as a state senator for Deborah Lincoln was des- name of (sic) my own. My Abraham. He had, as I think I 22 heard, four brothers, Issac, Hale retired and returned state, beyond dividing tor for Massachusetts,· and Jacob, Thomas, and John. He home and established his strength, and thereby better­ Lincoln won a great victory in had three sons, Mordecai, farm. He had served well and ing the chances of Buchanan. Bridgewater and carried Gov­ Josiah, and Thomas, the last was greatly respected. Like They know this; and I still ernor John Andrew to victory my father. My Uncle Morde­ Lincoln he was a Clay Whig hope the bulk of them will with him. Hale's name is first cai, had three sons, Abraham, and his stands on the protec­ think better than to throw on the list of electors on the James, and Mordecai. Uncle tive tariff and internal improve­ away their votes for such an Republican ballot. His friend Josiah had several daughters, ments were in the mainstream object. Your obt. Servant. Joshua Eddy Crane served as and only one son, Thomas. or his constituency's thinking. Republican Town Chairman My father has an only child, Also, like Lincoln, when In politics the town of in this period. myself, of course. the Whig Party collapsed, he Bridgewater had generally Until his death in 1882 in moved into the new Republi­ supported the Whig cause and his ninety-ninth year, he con­ This is all I know certainly on can party which his friend later the Republican, but the tinued his work in the town the subject of names; it is, Joshua Eddy Crane had helped Democratic party was reason- and his interest in political however, my father's under­ affairs, and at the time of his standing that, Abraham (,) death he was honored as Mordecai, and Thomas are old Bridgewater's first citizen. family names of ours. The reason I did not mention -II- Thomas as a family name in Joshua Eddy Crane, Jr.'s life my other letter was because it touched the interests of the is so very common a name, as Lincoln Group of Boston to prove but little, if anything, i twice. First, in 1844, he in the way of identification. decided to join his maternal Since I wrote you, it occurred uncle in business in the town to me to enquire of Gov. of Bridgewater, home of McDowell, who represents Bridgewater State College, a the district in Virginia, includ­ regular Lincoln Group meet­ ing Rockingham, whether he ing place and the home of the knew persons of our name Lincoln Collections contrib­ there. He informs me he uted to the college library by does; though none very inti­ that organization. Second, his mately except one, an old long-term interest in Ameri­ man by the Christian name of can politics, anti-slavery activ­ David. That he is of our fam­ ity and travel brought him to ily I have no doubt. I now Springfield, Illinois in 1860 address him a letter, making hoping to visit the next Pres­ such enquiries as suggest them­ ident of the United States. selves; andwhen I shall receive Courtesy of"The Crane History ofBridgewater" by the Bridgewater Historical Collectors Crane's Lincoln connection an answer, I will communicate JOSHUA EDDY CRANE barely qualifies as a minor to you, anything that may to establish. His interest in ably strong. There were some footnote in the Lincoln story. seem pertinent to your object. politics continued, and in the Jacksonians and others who Yet in the two men, Abraham felt that the North should not Lincoln and Joshua Crane, we Very truly yours, summer of 1856 he wrote to have antagonized the South. A. Lincoln Abraham Lincoln inquiring can find two very different yet about Fremont's chances In the 1840's and 1850's sev­ necessarily complementary Abraham Lincoln then wrote against Buchanan in Indiana eral Irish Catholic families approaches to national poli­ to David Lincoln and the Lin­ and Illinois. Lincoln advised moved into Bridgewater, and tics. The ambitious Illinois coins asking for information him correctly about the situa­ a Roman Catholic church was politician, seeking the destiny about his family. These inqui­ tion. Pointing out that he was organized. Many of these Irish would carry him through the ries are the subject of another "a Fremont man," he asked immigrants became American crucible of civil war to immor­ paper. Hale to make due allowance citizens, and since the general tality, faced issues constrained Abraham Lincoln was in for his partiality. He added: pattern among the immigrants by his realization of what was Massachusetts in September here was to vote Democratic, possible and what was impos­ 1848, but he did not visit I have no doubt, then that the they probably did so. In 1860 sible, by the necessary give Bridgewater and, unless Hale opposition to Buchanan, are Hale supported Lincoln, and and take of political life and attended the Whig state con­ the majority in both these he carried Bridgewater handily. by the awesome responsibility vention in Worcester, the states; but, that opposition In 1861 the Democratic of high political office. The chances are they did not meet. being divided between candidate for governor carried Bridgewater shopkeeper, liv­ His term completed, Abra­ Fremont and Fil(l) more, the state, and, despite the ing in a smaller world, ham Lincoln went home and places both states in some townspeople's support of the enjoyed the luxury of building for several years practiced law danger. I think the danger is war effort, the Democrats did his political life without re­ and prepared himself for later not great in Indiana; but some well during the war years. In straints. Joshua Crane had political action. greater here. The Fillmore 1864 Artemas Hale was thousands of counterparts, After two terms Artemas men have no power in either chosen as a presidential elec- and, with them, he helped 23 spur the crusade that ended trustee of the Bridgewater By 1860, Joshua Crane and cared less about the marrer. slavery. Abraham Lincoln, Academy, and he was a good Abraham Lincoln were tied Solomon Lincoln forced that unique man, made their friend and supporrer of the rogether in the Republican him ro think about his ances­ dreams bear fruir. Bridgewater State Normal Party and hopeful about its try, and Abraham Lincoln's Family ties and business School. He was also a Free prospecrs, and Crane travelled newly developed concern for opportunity brought Joshua Mason, the chairman of the ro Springfield ro join the his background began and is Crane imo Bridgewater as a State Workhouse Board of thousands of people who met worrh furrher study. Lincoln twenty-one year old man in Trustees, an honorary with Lincoln in his State opened correspondence with 1844. He had left his native member and comriburor ro House office. The city and the several distam relatives and Berkley, Massachusetts ro both Taumon's Old Colony building with its "handsome inspired Solomon Lincoln ro serve a five-year appremice­ Hisrorical Society and the park in the cemre of the city" cominue his research imo a ship in the New York coum­ New England Hisroric Genea­ impressed Crane favorably. possible relationship with the ing room of Messrs. Griffin logical Society of Bosron and Imroduced ro Lincoln by Mr. Congressman and Presidem. and Eddy and was returning an active parricipam in rown Baker, ediror of the Illinois Indeed, in the wimer of ro New England ro be asso­ and state politics. State journal, Crane and his 1865, less than one year after ciated with his maternal uncle, Crane's political activities party stayed only a half-hour. Abraham Lincoln's death, Morron Eddy, in Bridge­ provided him with an oppor­ In common with many other Solomon Lincoln first pub­ water's coumry general srore. tunity ro act on his "strong . comemporaries, Crane re­ lished his findings that He became its sole proprieror sympathy for the oppressed." porred that Abraham Lincoln, like Sol­ in 1848. A general srore He was presem at the organi­ The various pictures of Mr. omon Lincoln and Deb- would bridge the rown's zation of the Liberty Party in Lincoln which we have seen orah Lincoln Hale, was a manufaeruring and farming Massachuserrs, and he worked descendam of Samuel Lincoln all fail to give a fair represen­ communities, and townspeo­ for it during the years "when of Hingham, and his research tation of his features. He is ple found Crane's srore ro be a it required strong moral cour­ has directed and influenced very tall and muscular, but not pleasam oasis. A visit ro the every genealogical study of age" ro support a party ill-proportioned. His appear­ srore meam an opportunity ro "which was in a small and Abraham Lincoln since 1865. ance and manner bespeak him enjoy Crane's good conversa­ very unpopular minority." He We know that Abraham a man ofgreat energy of tion. Townspeople appre­ subsequenrly transferred his Lincoln was visited by many character, cheerful, hopeful, ciated his amiability, his hope­ allegiance ro the Free Soil Americans during the and easy of access to all who ful spirit for "he always had Party and then ro the Repub­ summer of 1860, after his approach him. something pleasam ro say ro lican Party, which he repre­ nomination for presidem and everyone" and his unwilling­ semed in local and state office Something in the "over­ in the late fall and wimer ness ro speak against orhers. and which he served through shadowing mass of hair" on after his e1ecrion. One of these Some patrons had fond the Republican Town Com­ Lincoln's brow and his "quick visirors was Joshua Eddy memories of the old dog who mitee and the State Cemral penetrating eye" reminded Crane, who left us a pleasam slept in the srore and travelled Commirree. In his writing and Crane of Rufus Choate, the note on the impressions of a about the rown with Crane. in his political life, the Old famous Massachuserrs lawyer. New England srorekeeper, a Crane's associations indicate Colony Memorial testified "Having no political mission, typical middle-class Yankee of that Bridgewater enjoyed a that "he was liberal in all his he explained, "we did nor 1860, who rouched greatness rich community life. As he ideas, a foe ro all iniquity and press these subjects, but shook and knew it at once. setrled imo the community in shame, thoroughly loyal and hands with great cordiality, Most of all we see in both which he raised a family of patriotic, and a most earnest and parred with the next Pres­ men, their reflections and seven children, Crane became worker for the cause of idem of the United States." their personal lives, the fact involved in a wide range of human liberty when the foul that they recognized the activities. A member of the blor of slavery cursed our land." -III- genius that was Abraham Cemral Square Church, he Abraham Lincoln probably So you have the srory of Lincoln. That they have chaired its building commit­ would not have approved of Lincoln's Bridgewater connec­ shared their experience with tee. The high poim of a Joshua Crane's political stand tions. We admit the srory is posterity places us heavily in thirty-year association with or of his supporr of the Lib­ nor earrh sharrering or unique their debt.• the Plymouth County Agricul­ erty Party. The practical poli­ and you are probably at best ..A ballot is included in the tural Society, located in tician would regret that par­ quite underwhelmed by this Howard and Carolyn Odell Bridgewater since 1819, came ty's foolish blindness resulted accoum. Collection ofthe Clement C. when he made its 50th Anni­ in siphoning vores away from One man knew Lincoln Maxwell Library, Bridgewater versary Address. As vice pres­ major party candidates with when he was a fledgling con­ State College. idem of the Bridgewater real opporrunities ro make gressman, and his parr in­ Reading Society, whose 2,000 progress in the struggle Lincoln's life, though minor, ThiI article iI from a paper read before the meeting of the Lineal.. volume collection became the against slavery, but ro mea­ is imporram. On their Group of BOIton, BOIto.. University. foundation of the rown sure the impact of Joshua searches through the Lincoln April 12, 1987 library, he would have Crane and the thousands like correspondence ro 1848, the arrended its wimer lectures, him in the Liberty Parry and writers are impressed by the perhaps ro hear Oliver the Free Soil Parry in pushing fact that Lincoln, like many JORDAN D. FIORE Wendell Holmes or Josiah major parry candidates imo Westerners of his generation, Professor of History Quincy,Jr. speak. An imerest stronger ami-slavery positions knew litrle about his Ameri­ JEAN F STONEHOUSE in scholarship made him a is impossible. can ancesrors and seemingly Associate Professor of History 24