Wareham, MA Vital Records, p. 1-241/22.
"A courier was dispatched on a swift horse toward Agawam Village to notify Capt. Israel Fearing at his tavern to call out his men and proceed immediately to the east side of the Narrows. Maj. Barrows collected 12 men with arms, and the Rev. Everett came from where the town stores were kept with a keg of powder and balls to be used if needed.
But no armed conflict was to take place at this time, which was probably most fortunate for the handful of patriots who expected to be faced by 200 trained marines. While the Wareham men were loading their guns word came to them that a treaty had been made with the British who had agreed to "respect private property."
The British landed at the lower wharf, probably below where the Narrows Bridge now is, disembarked, formed into ranks and marched up the street to Parker Mills. The cotton mill was their objective. A small crowd had collected at the mill, among them a young man named Crocker from West Barnstable mounted on a spirited steed which pranced and attracted the attention of the British commanding officer. He evidently thought that upon such a horse he would present a most heroic figure, so he ordered Crocker to dismount, and when he did so, the officer sought to establish himself in the saddle.
However, alas for British dignity, the horse refused to be ridden by a stranger and almost instantly the officer found himself in a most undignified and humiliating position on his back in the dust of the road. This episode may or may not have been responsible for the officer's failure to keep his promise to respect private property.
Probably the crowd laughed, as American crowds are prone to do, even on the most serious and solemn occasions. Anyway, the British officer ordered a rocket fired to the roof of the factory for the purpose of setting it ablaze, but as he did not stay to see this accomplished, the fire was extinguished before much damage had been done.
Meanwhile, the forces which had been left at the Narrows set fire to four schooners at the wharf, destroying them. These, and the factory, they claimed, were not on private property. On their return down the street from the mill the marines called at the store of William Fearing, drank his liquor, and then went into his kitchen. They took a brand of fire from his hearth, went to the shipyard (near what was later the railroad station), and set fire to a new brig, nearly completed, which belonged to Fearing.
Because of the treaty, Fearing remonstrated with them, saying "I am your friend," but the commanding officer replied, "Then you are an enemy to your country." The brig was burned to ashes. The British also fired a ship and a brig at the wharf, along with five sloops, but the fires were extinguished."
WAREHAM 1776-1976 REVOLUTION AND BICENTENNIAL; pp. 150, 152.
"These New England settlers made their homes near the sea, up navigable rivers and in protected harbors, since the sea became not only a source of food but the only means of transportation for generations. They were dependent on the exchange of goods with foreign countries, which kept the shipbuilding industry active along the shores of Wareham from the site of Wankinco dam, down the river to and beyond what is now Pinehurst, then known as "Pine Neck."
The Fearings were active in this industry. When the British ship Nimrod anchored in the Wareham River in 1912 to send two hundred men ashore to destroy shipping, William Fearing's nearly completed ship was burned to the keel. When William Fearing complained to the British officer about this act of war he was rebuffed and lost his vessel for his pains.
Privateers were operated by Wareham men, the most famous being Capt. John Kendrick, whose home is now owned by the Wareham Historical Society and being restored to its former condition. Privateers were a constant threat to British supply ships bringing men and war materials to these Revolutionary shores. Many of these British ships were captured and their cargoes sold or confiscated by the Continental Armies .....
Wareham was a peaceful village for generation. The prosperity of the town depended on the sea for transportation. Many small schooner and fishing boats were built along the shores of Wareham. A shipyard was established by William Fearing "visible from his house" standing on land now owned by the Wareham Historical Society, part of which is occupied by the first Methodist Meeting House in process of restoration.
William Fearing owned and operated a store in the downtown area of Wareham supplying many of the necessities of life. It was located on land formerly occupied by the Old Colony freight station, now a parking lot. At this general location another Fearing Inn was in operation. Galligan's 'Agawam Inn' flourished at this time also, across the street from William Fearing's enterprises."
FEARING TAVERN, Raymond Rider, p. viii & p. 3: She had had many of her sloops taken by the enemy. The selectmen met at the house of Benjamin Fearing, and ordered the men to assemble.
Captain Israel Fearing kept the public-house on the road to Agawam Village. A message was sent to him to call out his men. While they were loading the guns, William Fearing, Esq., came and told them to put up the guns, as treaty was made with the enemy.
Captain Israel Fearing assembled twelve men at the Narrows and showed fight.
REVOLUTIONARY WAR - 1812, Incidents in the Town of Wareham "From ship registers 1796-1850 here are vessels connected with William Fearing as part owner and perhaps involved in building: 1818, sch. ELIZABETH; 1818 sch. ENTERPRISE; 1832, Ship GEORGE WASHINGTON; 1826 brig. QUITO; 1811 Ship RAPID; 1818, Sloop REAPER; 1935, Ship REPUBLIC; 1819 Sloop SPARTEN; 1809 brig. UNION.
In 1811 William Fearing is listed as Merchant and Master Carpenter. His last residence was New Bedford. Ship GEORGE WASHINGTON lists William, William. S., William Sturgis, also Daniel B. (of N.Y.)" Old Dartmouth Historical Society Whaling Museum, New Bedford, MA, Letter January 10, 1981.
Shipping merchant, ship builder, Industrialist, Founded Auburn Mills in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Interested in Privateers in War 1812.
Wareham, MA vital records, Vol. 31, p. 126.
Married May 25, 1799 in Sandwich, Barnstable County, Massachusetts.
"A courier was dispatched on a swift horse toward Agawam Village to notify Capt. Israel Fearing at his tavern to call out his men and proceed immediately to the east side of the Narrows. Maj. Barrows collected 12 men with arms, and the Rev. Everett came from where the town stores were kept with a keg of powder and balls to be used if needed.
But no armed conflict was to take place at this time, which was probably most fortunate for the handful of patriots who expected to be faced by 200 trained marines. While the Wareham men were loading their guns word came to them that a treaty had been made with the British who had agreed to "respect private property."
The British landed at the lower wharf, probably below where the Narrows Bridge now is, disembarked, formed into ranks and marched up the street to Parker Mills. The cotton mill was their objective. A small crowd had collected at the mill, among them a young man named Crocker from West Barnstable mounted on a spirited steed which pranced and attracted the attention of the British commanding officer. He evidently thought that upon such a horse he would present a most heroic figure, so he ordered Crocker to dismount, and when he did so, the officer sought to establish himself in the saddle.
However, alas for British dignity, the horse refused to be ridden by a stranger and almost instantly the officer found himself in a most undignified and humiliating position on his back in the dust of the road. This episode may or may not have been responsible for the officer's failure to keep his promise to respect private property.
Probably the crowd laughed, as American crowds are prone to do, even on the most serious and solemn occasions. Anyway, the British officer ordered a rocket fired to the roof of the factory for the purpose of setting it ablaze, but as he did not stay to see this accomplished, the fire was extinguished before much damage had been done.
Meanwhile, the forces which had been left at the Narrows set fire to four schooners at the wharf, destroying them. These, and the factory, they claimed, were not on private property. On their return down the street from the mill the marines called at the store of William Fearing, drank his liquor, and then went into his kitchen. They took a brand of fire from his hearth, went to the shipyard (near what was later the railroad station), and set fire to a new brig, nearly completed, which belonged to Fearing.
Because of the treaty, Fearing remonstrated with them, saying "I am your friend," but the commanding officer replied, "Then you are an enemy to your country." The brig was burned to ashes. The British also fired a ship and a brig at the wharf, along with five sloops, but the fires were extinguished."
WAREHAM 1776-1976 REVOLUTION AND BICENTENNIAL; pp. 150, 152.
"These New England settlers made their homes near the sea, up navigable rivers and in protected harbors, since the sea became not only a source of food but the only means of transportation for generations. They were dependent on the exchange of goods with foreign countries, which kept the shipbuilding industry active along the shores of Wareham from the site of Wankinco dam, down the river to and beyond what is now Pinehurst, then known as "Pine Neck."
The Fearings were active in this industry. When the British ship Nimrod anchored in the Wareham River in 1912 to send two hundred men ashore to destroy shipping, William Fearing's nearly completed ship was burned to the keel. When William Fearing complained to the British officer about this act of war he was rebuffed and lost his vessel for his pains.
Privateers were operated by Wareham men, the most famous being Capt. John Kendrick, whose home is now owned by the Wareham Historical Society and being restored to its former condition. Privateers were a constant threat to British supply ships bringing men and war materials to these Revolutionary shores. Many of these British ships were captured and their cargoes sold or confiscated by the Continental Armies .....
Wareham was a peaceful village for generation. The prosperity of the town depended on the sea for transportation. Many small schooner and fishing boats were built along the shores of Wareham. A shipyard was established by William Fearing "visible from his house" standing on land now owned by the Wareham Historical Society, part of which is occupied by the first Methodist Meeting House in process of restoration.
William Fearing owned and operated a store in the downtown area of Wareham supplying many of the necessities of life. It was located on land formerly occupied by the Old Colony freight station, now a parking lot. At this general location another Fearing Inn was in operation. Galligan's 'Agawam Inn' flourished at this time also, across the street from William Fearing's enterprises."
FEARING TAVERN, Raymond Rider, p. viii & p. 3: She had had many of her sloops taken by the enemy. The selectmen met at the house of Benjamin Fearing, and ordered the men to assemble.
Captain Israel Fearing kept the public-house on the road to Agawam Village. A message was sent to him to call out his men. While they were loading the guns, William Fearing, Esq., came and told them to put up the guns, as treaty was made with the enemy.
Captain Israel Fearing assembled twelve men at the Narrows and showed fight.
REVOLUTIONARY WAR - 1812, Incidents in the Town of Wareham "From ship registers 1796-1850 here are vessels connected with William Fearing as part owner and perhaps involved in building: 1818, sch. ELIZABETH; 1818 sch. ENTERPRISE; 1832, Ship GEORGE WASHINGTON; 1826 brig. QUITO; 1811 Ship RAPID; 1818, Sloop REAPER; 1935, Ship REPUBLIC; 1819 Sloop SPARTEN; 1809 brig. UNION.
In 1811 William Fearing is listed as Merchant and Master Carpenter. His last residence was New Bedford. Ship GEORGE WASHINGTON lists William, William. S., William Sturgis, also Daniel B. (of N.Y.)" Old Dartmouth Historical Society Whaling Museum, New Bedford, MA, Letter January 10, 1981.
Shipping merchant, ship builder, Industrialist, Founded Auburn Mills in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Interested in Privateers in War 1812.
Wareham, MA vital records, Vol. 31, p. 126.
Married May 25, 1799 in Sandwich, Barnstable County, Massachusetts.
Wareham, MA Vital Records, p. 1-241/22.
"A courier was dispatched on a swift horse toward Agawam Village to notify Capt. Israel Fearing at his tavern to call out his men and proceed immediately to the east side of the Narrows. Maj. Barrows collected 12 men with arms, and the Rev. Everett came from where the town stores were kept with a keg of powder and balls to be used if needed.
But no armed conflict was to take place at this time, which was probably most fortunate for the handful of patriots who expected to be faced by 200 trained marines. While the Wareham men were loading their guns word came to them that a treaty had been made with the British who had agreed to "respect private property."
The British landed at the lower wharf, probably below where the Narrows Bridge now is, disembarked, formed into ranks and marched up the street to Parker Mills. The cotton mill was their objective. A small crowd had collected at the mill, among them a young man named Crocker from West Barnstable mounted on a spirited steed which pranced and attracted the attention of the British commanding officer. He evidently thought that upon such a horse he would present a most heroic figure, so he ordered Crocker to dismount, and when he did so, the officer sought to establish himself in the saddle.
However, alas for British dignity, the horse refused to be ridden by a stranger and almost instantly the officer found himself in a most undignified and humiliating position on his back in the dust of the road. This episode may or may not have been responsible for the officer's failure to keep his promise to respect private property.
Probably the crowd laughed, as American crowds are prone to do, even on the most serious and solemn occasions. Anyway, the British officer ordered a rocket fired to the roof of the factory for the purpose of setting it ablaze, but as he did not stay to see this accomplished, the fire was extinguished before much damage had been done.
Meanwhile, the forces which had been left at the Narrows set fire to four schooners at the wharf, destroying them. These, and the factory, they claimed, were not on private property. On their return down the street from the mill the marines called at the store of William Fearing, drank his liquor, and then went into his kitchen. They took a brand of fire from his hearth, went to the shipyard (near what was later the railroad station), and set fire to a new brig, nearly completed, which belonged to Fearing.
Because of the treaty, Fearing remonstrated with them, saying "I am your friend," but the commanding officer replied, "Then you are an enemy to your country." The brig was burned to ashes. The British also fired a ship and a brig at the wharf, along with five sloops, but the fires were extinguished."
WAREHAM 1776-1976 REVOLUTION AND BICENTENNIAL; pp. 150, 152.
"These New England settlers made their homes near the sea, up navigable rivers and in protected harbors, since the sea became not only a source of food but the only means of transportation for generations. They were dependent on the exchange of goods with foreign countries, which kept the shipbuilding industry active along the shores of Wareham from the site of Wankinco dam, down the river to and beyond what is now Pinehurst, then known as "Pine Neck."
The Fearings were active in this industry. When the British ship Nimrod anchored in the Wareham River in 1912 to send two hundred men ashore to destroy shipping, William Fearing's nearly completed ship was burned to the keel. When William Fearing complained to the British officer about this act of war he was rebuffed and lost his vessel for his pains.
Privateers were operated by Wareham men, the most famous being Capt. John Kendrick, whose home is now owned by the Wareham Historical Society and being restored to its former condition. Privateers were a constant threat to British supply ships bringing men and war materials to these Revolutionary shores. Many of these British ships were captured and their cargoes sold or confiscated by the Continental Armies .....
Wareham was a peaceful village for generation. The prosperity of the town depended on the sea for transportation. Many small schooner and fishing boats were built along the shores of Wareham. A shipyard was established by William Fearing "visible from his house" standing on land now owned by the Wareham Historical Society, part of which is occupied by the first Methodist Meeting House in process of restoration.
William Fearing owned and operated a store in the downtown area of Wareham supplying many of the necessities of life. It was located on land formerly occupied by the Old Colony freight station, now a parking lot. At this general location another Fearing Inn was in operation. Galligan's 'Agawam Inn' flourished at this time also, across the street from William Fearing's enterprises."
FEARING TAVERN, Raymond Rider, p. viii & p. 3: She had had many of her sloops taken by the enemy. The selectmen met at the house of Benjamin Fearing, and ordered the men to assemble.
Captain Israel Fearing kept the public-house on the road to Agawam Village. A message was sent to him to call out his men. While they were loading the guns, William Fearing, Esq., came and told them to put up the guns, as treaty was made with the enemy.
Captain Israel Fearing assembled twelve men at the Narrows and showed fight.
REVOLUTIONARY WAR - 1812, Incidents in the Town of Wareham "From ship registers 1796-1850 here are vessels connected with William Fearing as part owner and perhaps involved in building: 1818, sch. ELIZABETH; 1818 sch. ENTERPRISE; 1832, Ship GEORGE WASHINGTON; 1826 brig. QUITO; 1811 Ship RAPID; 1818, Sloop REAPER; 1935, Ship REPUBLIC; 1819 Sloop SPARTEN; 1809 brig. UNION.
In 1811 William Fearing is listed as Merchant and Master Carpenter. His last residence was New Bedford. Ship GEORGE WASHINGTON lists William, William. S., William Sturgis, also Daniel B. (of N.Y.)" Old Dartmouth Historical Society Whaling Museum, New Bedford, MA, Letter January 10, 1981.
Shipping merchant, ship builder, Industrialist, Founded Auburn Mills in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Interested in Privateers in War 1812.
Wareham, MA vital records, Vol. 31, p. 126.
Married May 25, 1799 in Sandwich, Barnstable County, Massachusetts.
"A courier was dispatched on a swift horse toward Agawam Village to notify Capt. Israel Fearing at his tavern to call out his men and proceed immediately to the east side of the Narrows. Maj. Barrows collected 12 men with arms, and the Rev. Everett came from where the town stores were kept with a keg of powder and balls to be used if needed.
But no armed conflict was to take place at this time, which was probably most fortunate for the handful of patriots who expected to be faced by 200 trained marines. While the Wareham men were loading their guns word came to them that a treaty had been made with the British who had agreed to "respect private property."
The British landed at the lower wharf, probably below where the Narrows Bridge now is, disembarked, formed into ranks and marched up the street to Parker Mills. The cotton mill was their objective. A small crowd had collected at the mill, among them a young man named Crocker from West Barnstable mounted on a spirited steed which pranced and attracted the attention of the British commanding officer. He evidently thought that upon such a horse he would present a most heroic figure, so he ordered Crocker to dismount, and when he did so, the officer sought to establish himself in the saddle.
However, alas for British dignity, the horse refused to be ridden by a stranger and almost instantly the officer found himself in a most undignified and humiliating position on his back in the dust of the road. This episode may or may not have been responsible for the officer's failure to keep his promise to respect private property.
Probably the crowd laughed, as American crowds are prone to do, even on the most serious and solemn occasions. Anyway, the British officer ordered a rocket fired to the roof of the factory for the purpose of setting it ablaze, but as he did not stay to see this accomplished, the fire was extinguished before much damage had been done.
Meanwhile, the forces which had been left at the Narrows set fire to four schooners at the wharf, destroying them. These, and the factory, they claimed, were not on private property. On their return down the street from the mill the marines called at the store of William Fearing, drank his liquor, and then went into his kitchen. They took a brand of fire from his hearth, went to the shipyard (near what was later the railroad station), and set fire to a new brig, nearly completed, which belonged to Fearing.
Because of the treaty, Fearing remonstrated with them, saying "I am your friend," but the commanding officer replied, "Then you are an enemy to your country." The brig was burned to ashes. The British also fired a ship and a brig at the wharf, along with five sloops, but the fires were extinguished."
WAREHAM 1776-1976 REVOLUTION AND BICENTENNIAL; pp. 150, 152.
"These New England settlers made their homes near the sea, up navigable rivers and in protected harbors, since the sea became not only a source of food but the only means of transportation for generations. They were dependent on the exchange of goods with foreign countries, which kept the shipbuilding industry active along the shores of Wareham from the site of Wankinco dam, down the river to and beyond what is now Pinehurst, then known as "Pine Neck."
The Fearings were active in this industry. When the British ship Nimrod anchored in the Wareham River in 1912 to send two hundred men ashore to destroy shipping, William Fearing's nearly completed ship was burned to the keel. When William Fearing complained to the British officer about this act of war he was rebuffed and lost his vessel for his pains.
Privateers were operated by Wareham men, the most famous being Capt. John Kendrick, whose home is now owned by the Wareham Historical Society and being restored to its former condition. Privateers were a constant threat to British supply ships bringing men and war materials to these Revolutionary shores. Many of these British ships were captured and their cargoes sold or confiscated by the Continental Armies .....
Wareham was a peaceful village for generation. The prosperity of the town depended on the sea for transportation. Many small schooner and fishing boats were built along the shores of Wareham. A shipyard was established by William Fearing "visible from his house" standing on land now owned by the Wareham Historical Society, part of which is occupied by the first Methodist Meeting House in process of restoration.
William Fearing owned and operated a store in the downtown area of Wareham supplying many of the necessities of life. It was located on land formerly occupied by the Old Colony freight station, now a parking lot. At this general location another Fearing Inn was in operation. Galligan's 'Agawam Inn' flourished at this time also, across the street from William Fearing's enterprises."
FEARING TAVERN, Raymond Rider, p. viii & p. 3: She had had many of her sloops taken by the enemy. The selectmen met at the house of Benjamin Fearing, and ordered the men to assemble.
Captain Israel Fearing kept the public-house on the road to Agawam Village. A message was sent to him to call out his men. While they were loading the guns, William Fearing, Esq., came and told them to put up the guns, as treaty was made with the enemy.
Captain Israel Fearing assembled twelve men at the Narrows and showed fight.
REVOLUTIONARY WAR - 1812, Incidents in the Town of Wareham "From ship registers 1796-1850 here are vessels connected with William Fearing as part owner and perhaps involved in building: 1818, sch. ELIZABETH; 1818 sch. ENTERPRISE; 1832, Ship GEORGE WASHINGTON; 1826 brig. QUITO; 1811 Ship RAPID; 1818, Sloop REAPER; 1935, Ship REPUBLIC; 1819 Sloop SPARTEN; 1809 brig. UNION.
In 1811 William Fearing is listed as Merchant and Master Carpenter. His last residence was New Bedford. Ship GEORGE WASHINGTON lists William, William. S., William Sturgis, also Daniel B. (of N.Y.)" Old Dartmouth Historical Society Whaling Museum, New Bedford, MA, Letter January 10, 1981.
Shipping merchant, ship builder, Industrialist, Founded Auburn Mills in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Interested in Privateers in War 1812.
Wareham, MA vital records, Vol. 31, p. 126.
Married May 25, 1799 in Sandwich, Barnstable County, Massachusetts.
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