Captain Michael Berry and Steam Ship Southerner Collision

From Captain Michael Berry
Steam Ship Southerner New York October 23 18
I send you an order for a suit of Metallic Life Boats for the steam ship General Marion now building for the Charleston They will be required in January Yours &c Mr J Francis  M Berry

Dwight's American Magazine, Volume 2 edited by Theodore Dwight
The Steamship Southerner This ship which is said to equal any of the Cunard ships in good qualities takes her place in the line to Charleston on the 10th of September She is described fully as follows 207 feet in length from stern to stern thirty feet beam 14 feet depth of hold and measuring 800 tons Her engine made by Sultman Allen & Co of this city is constructed upon the most approved plan of the English marine combined with all the new improvements of American ingenuity Her wheels are of iron 31 feet in diameter 7 1 2 feet and 8 feet stroke Her cabins are spacious and elegantly contrived Her state rooms are of mahogany ornamented with white enamel She is ship rigored and was built by an association of N York and Charleston merchants expressly to ply between these ports She is commanded by Capt M Berry who has been 28 years in the Charleston trade She has berths for 105 passengers."

Thursday, March 16, 1848
Paper: New York Herald (New York, NY)

Monday, October 14, 1850
Paper: Sandusky Register (Sandusky, OH)

 

Mariner Man Poses as Preacher: Sex Scandal in the Port

From my article in The Current Newburyport Wicked Local Article Friday December 5 2014 Special Thanks to Katherine Chaison Curator Ipswich Museum formerly Ipswich Historical Society 54 South Main Street Ipswich, MA 01938

Colonel Wade's house in Ipswich, courtesy of the Ipswich Museum.

In the spring of 1823 the Port became the center of a notorious sex scandal. Some of the most prominent men came forward to defend the honor of their pious lady lambs against a philandering preacher knee deep in the dirt.

          The case of the Commonwealth vs. Michael Doak Dennis took place in late March and sent shock waves through the community. As the trial unfolded it attracted attention from all of New England. Even the Farmers Almanac released briefings on the court drama.

           Mrs. Lydia Randall, the victim in the case was “a respectable married woman” known for her great charities. An unfortunate turn of events caused her to seek relief from “Father” Dennis.  Her poor husband was placed in the County House of Ipswich because he went insane. During Christmas season she became melancholy and Dennis offered her a ride in his warm chaise to see her husband.         

          Mrs. R accepted the invitation, but would end up in a most compromising position. Dennis got frisky from too much whiskey and Mrs. R charged him with “lewd and lascivious language” and “wanton and indecent conduct.” 

          According to the reports Dennis was “bred as a mariner” and spent most of his career “on board as a man of war,” but got an itch to try his hand at preaching the gospel. He must have had the magic touch for his flock flooded with followers, most of them married women. 

           Before Dennis was indicted many “good and wise people” thought he was an “instrument of the Lord’s hand” and gave a heads up to work his new godly unit. His marriage to Sally Woodwell gave him special favor as well. His in-laws were well known in the Port.

          Gideon Woodwell, JR owned a ship yard in town with Enoch Hale. He served in the navy during the Revolution and was noted for his brave role in the capture of British ship Friends at Plum Island.  During the War of 1812 he served as a ship carpenter upon board the Constitution which he also helped to build in 1797. Gideon’s wife Sarah Bray was equally matched with her sturdy good stock.

          The strong connections however went limp and Dennis was put in the dog house.  When the court approved for a committees to investigate the incident it was upon the request of Dennis. However Woodwell knew his son-in-law was guilty and made sure the fine daughters of the town stayed above water.

          The list of men would have been on familiar terms with the family---were Davenport, Currier, Nelson, Morse, Foster, and Col Wade, Keeper of the House of Corrections. Although Mrs. R was the only one pressing firm legal recourse, the men knew of other women who had been sniffed out by Dennis and according to Newburport Herald Dennis was using his new position to woo.

          During the hearings Wade affirmed he dined with the pair on the night of the incident. He corroborated with Mrs. R. testifying that when Dennis finished his meal he slipped out to get a quick trim of the whisker, but returned several hours later “all liquored up.” 

          Mrs. R. stated that the intoxicated Dennis approached her bent over and shouted: “You trollop I have a good mind to knock you down.” When she asked him why he told her she was a prude for not offering even a kiss. He slithered back to his seat and drank a few more hours.

          Dennis came to her later and “with much familiarity” said he was ready for nap. He realized his advances were going no where and made ready to bring her back home.

          During the ride back Mrs. R told the court that Dennis seemed to have stiffened with silence perhaps due to the cold, but his lusty loins regrouped when they passed through Rowley. He forced a kiss on her while touching her bosom and stroked her muffs hoping to gain entry. When she pushed him away his paws sought out her thighs, but she would not submit and proceeded to lecture him on his “unbecoming conduct not proper for a man of his profession.”

          Dennis knew Mrs. R would blow the whistle and his glory days of preaching to the pretty Port gals were numbered. He did not deny the charges, but “wished he could remember them.” he told the committee that “if Mrs. R said it happened than it must have as she was a pious lady.”              

According to Salem Gazette Judge Williams appeared soft on Dennis at the start of the hearings when he asked him if he was only guilty of intoxication, but Dennis lowered his head and told him “I am afraid not.” What sealed his fate and left no doubts in the minds of the jury were the examinations brought in by the committee members. The rest of the flock admitted that Dennis often favored the flesh over the spirit. 

          The jury returned a quick verdict and Dennis was sentenced to three months imprisonment. His attorney appealed arguing that “a moderate fine should be sufficient to satisfy public justice,” but Judge Williams concurred with the counter appeal: “it is upon absolutely necessity to exemplary punishment by imprisonment as it would ensure the safety of the pious women.” No doubt the judge wanted to make Dennis an example. Dennis surrendered and exclaimed “the Lord hath done this!” He would have to lie in the bed he made and his “sheep” thrills were all for “mutton.” 

 Stories From Ipswich and the North Shore Thomas Franklin Waters wrote about the old court building: "Our survey cannot be completed without a glimpse at the small grass plot, in front of the Methodist Meeting House. Here the first Town-house was built... It was replaced by a new building, erected at the joint expense of Town and County, in 1793-94, a much more pretentious structure with a high belfry or steeple. It stood with its rear end close to the high ledge, which has been blasted to its present level, but which was originally as high as the eaves of the building itself. Thus, in close proximity to prison, stocks and whipping post, the Courts held their stately sessions from 1704 to 1854, when they ceased their sittings, and the house was sold and removed to the corner near the railroad station. It was utilized by Mr. James Damon for a hall and stores, and was totally destroyed by fire, April 14, 1894." 

Sources from History of Newburyport J J Currier, Salem Gazette, Newburyport Herald, New England Farmer, Portsmouth Herald, Commonwealth vs. M D Dennis,

17th century Quaker Persecutions New Bedford, MA

From History of Bristol County, Massachusetts Part One

Among the orders of the court concerning the Quakers was the following:

"If any person or persons called Quakers, or other such like vagabonds, shall come into any town in this government, the marshal or constable shall apprehend him or them, and upon examining, so appearing, he shall whip them, or cause them to be whipped, with rods so it exceeds not fifteen stripes, and to give him or them a pass to depart the government, and if they be found without the pass and not acting thereunto they shall be punished again as formerly; and in case the constable shall be unwilling to whip them, and cannot find any one to do it, they shall bring them to Plymouth to the under-marshal, and he shall inflict it."

Another regulation says, "Whereas, by order of court, all free men of this corporation, as Quakers, or such as encourage them, or such as speak contemptuously of the laws thereof, or such as are judged by court grossly scandalous, as liars, drunkards, swearers, shall lose their freedom in this corporation."

1651. Ralph Allen, Sr., and wife, George Allen and wife, and William Allen are presented with others for uot attending public worship according to law. Arthur Howland, for not attending public worship. This Arthur seems to have been a troublesome fellow to the strict Puritans of the colony. Ralph Allen and Richard Kirby are fined five pounds, or to be whipped, for vile sketches against ordinances. Richard Kirby info

1655. Sarah Kirby sentenced to be whipped for divers suspicious speeches.(sister Jane Landers also in court with her but no record of punishment)

1656, Sunday. Persons for meeting at the house of William Allen are summoned to answer for the misdemeanor.

1656. Sarah Kirby whipped for disturbing public worship.

Picture Howland House New Bedford 

1657. Arthur Howland, for permitting a Quaker meeting in his house, and for inviting such as were under government, children and others, to come to said meeting, was sentenced by the court to find securities for his good behavior; in case he should refuse he is fined four pounds. He refused to give bonds, and was fined. "The said Arthur Howland, for resisting the constable of Marshfield in the execution of his office, and abusing him in words by threatening speeches, is fined five pounds." And again, Arthur Howland, for presenting a writing in court, which said writing, on the reading thereof, appeared to be of dangerous consequences, he owning it to be his own, and for making known the said writing to others, was sentenced by court to find securities for his good behavior. We have now another Howland upon the stage.

1657. "Henry Howland, for entertaining a meeting in his house, contrary to order of Court, is fined ten shillings." And still another, Louth Howland, "for speaking opprobriously of the ministers of God's word, is sentenced to set in the stocks for the space of an hour or during pleasure of Court, which was performed and so released paying the fee."

1657. Ralph Allen, Jr., and William Allen being summoned, appeared to answer for a tumultuous carriage at a meeting of the Quakers at Sandwich ; their being admonished in that respect were cleared, notwithstanding irreverently carrying themselves before the court, coming in before thein with their hats on, were fined twenty shillings apiece.

Picture  http://www.marjorierwilliams.com/1762/allens-neck-clambake/

Here is the case of the whipping and fining before spoken of,—

1658. H. Norton and John Rouse were sentenced to be whipped for coming into the jurisdiction contrary to call. The sentence was executed. "The same day performed," is the language of the record, and the under-marshal requiring his fees they refused to pay them, and they were again returned to prison until they would pay.

1658. William Allen is fined forty shillings for entertaining Quaker meeting. About this time there was a part added—demanded, as says the record— because, among other things, "of the letting loose as a scourge upon us those gangrene-like doctrines and persons called Quakers." 

1659. We now find upon the records the following: "The Court taking notice of sundry scandalous falsehoods in a letter of Isaac Robinson's tending greatly to the prejudice of this government and incouragement of those commonly called Quakers, and thereby liable according to law to disenfranchisement, yet we at present forbear the sentence until further inquiry."

1660. Daniel Butler for rescuing a strange Quaker was sentenced to be whipped. Joseph Allen fined ten shillings for attending a Quaker meeting. Here we have some wholesale operations,—twenty-five persons were fmed ten shillings eaeh for attending Quaker meeting, and among them were Joseph, Benjamin, William, and Matthew Allen, Richard Kirby and Richard Kirby (2d), and Daniel and Obadiah Butler. For more family info  Howland-Kirby papers

1661. The obstinate Howlands are again introduced. Henry Rowland for entertaining a Quaker meeting in his house is twice fined four pounds. Loeth Howland breaks the Sabbath and is fined ten shillings.

1662. Another Howland Sabbath-breaker. Samuel Howland, having no meal in the house, went to the mill and took home his grist. Fined ten shillings, or the whip.

1664. Arthur Howland is again in difficulty. But it is not for new heresy of opinion that he is brought before the magnates of the land. The following is the record: "Arthur Howland, for inveighling Mistress Elizabeth Prince and making motion of marriage to her, and prosecuting the same contrary to her parents' liking and without their consent and directly contrary to their mind and will, was sentenced to pay a fine of five pounds, and to find securities for his good behavior, and in special that he desist from the use of any means to obtain or retain her affections as aforesaid." He paid his fine, a pretty heavy one for those days, and gave the bonds required by the sentence of the court. "Arthur Howland acknowledges to owe unto our sovereign lord the king the sum of fifty dollars; John Duncan, the sum of twenty-five dollars; Timothy Williams, the sum of twenty-five dollars. The condition that whereas the said Arthur Howland hath disorderly and unrighteously endeavored to obtain the affections of Mistress Elizabeth Prince, against the mind and will of her parents. If, therefore, the said Arthur Howland shall for the future refrain and desist from the use of any means to obtain or retain her affections as aforesaid, and appear at the court of His Majesty, to ho hnlden at Plymouth the first Tuesday in July next, and in the mean time be of good behavior towards our sovereign lord the king and all his liege people, and not depart the said court without license, that then, etc."

The next year we find him again before the court, and again coming under a solemn agreement no further to offend in the premises.

Some Future Family Quaker Pictures 

Picture Jim Gresela Contact jgrasela@comcast.net

Abraham H. Howland served as the first mayor of New Bedford, Massachusetts. A leading Quaker businessman of the time, he was elected shortly after the incorporation of New Bedford in 1847. A man of esteem and wealth, he lived in the prominent neighborhood of County Street in New Bedford.

 

             Picture Above of Henrietta Howland Green aka the “Witch of Wall Street” 

             Picture Above Howland Triple Portrait George Howland & Sons

Williams Family of Verona Collection

A Share by Robert Williams author & historian Vernon Historical Link

Click Link to Purchase at Amazon
Box 1

Folders

Aunt Dorothy & family

Great Aunts (Keifer)

Barmore family

Albert Brady

Brady Family

Harvey A. Williams Family Tragedy

Old family Homes

Michael & Anna M. Keifer Portraits

Keifer Poem

Letter about Michael Keifer

Keifer Misc.

Civil War Pension--Anna Maria Kiefer

Michael Kiefer Civil War Service Record

Pictures Maud Knipshild

M. Knipshild—Annin flag factory

M. Knipshild Papers

Misc.

Special News articles

Shiels family—Long Barn—Ireland

Pictures—Nana’s children

Pictures—Catherine Williams

Marriage Certificate C. Shiel & W. Wms.

Geo. E. Williams family

Box 2

Folders

George W. Williams

Civil War Pension File--G.W. Williams

Robert J. Williams Newspaper Articles

Robert J. Williams Cpt. Pilot Rating Book

Robert J. Williams Fidelity Bank

Robert J. Williams Papers—also Walter and Elmer

Robert J. Williams High School Graduation

Box 3

Folders

R.J. Williams

Robert L. Williams

Articles Mentioning myself Bob Williams

Robert L. Williams Photos—Star Ledger Articles

Walpack Property

Box 4

Folders

Williams Family History Manuscript

Williams Family History Research

Williams Family Pictures in Walpack, N.J.

Zadoc Williams I—estate papers

Zeb Williams House

Williams Family—Verona, N.J.

Williams family

Williams Family

Williams Family Photos from Nana’s Green Album

Williams Family Photos from Nana’s Green Album

Williams Family Photos from Nana’s Green Album

Windrich Family—Cedar Grove, N.J.

Reagan Autograph—My parents got this

Box 5

Folders

Robert J. Williams--Bank

Letters About Family

Box 6

Folders

One Victorian Williams Family Album (red), from George W. Williams Line.