History of Swansea, Massachusetts, 1667-1917; - citizen hylbom blog

Historical Address 91
development of the cotton manufacture in Fall River. When
that industry was there begun, a very considerable portion of
the money invested came from the country towns.
The Fall River Manufactory, the first cotton mill erected
there, was built in 1813. Its capital was divided into sixty
shares, of which William Mason and Samuel Gardner, 2d, of
Swansea, took two each. Mr. Mason soon added to his holdings,
so that one twelfth part of the stock was held in this town,
and at a subsequent date a still larger percentage.
The Troy Cotton and Woolen Manufacturing Company
was organized a little later, the originator of which was Oliver
Chace, who had had some experience in a small way in the
manufacture of cotton at Swansea Factory, and who moved
to Fall River where he could embark on a more extensive scale.
He took one tenth part of the stock in the new company, while
an equal amount was taken here by Benjamin Slade, Moses
Buffinton, Oliver Earle, Joseph G. Luther and Joseph Buffinton,
making one fifth of its entire capital.
Thus Swansea men and Swansea money essentially aided
in the early development of cotton manufacture.
Many of Swansea's young men have become the skilled
mechanics, artisans, and contractors who have been important
factors in the growth and development of the cities of Taunton,
Providence, New Bedford and Fall River. Some of the prominent
business men of these cities originated here. Fall River's
first Mayor, the Hon. James Buffinton, who so long and ably
represented this district in Congress, spent years of his boyhood
in Swansea village. Another mayor of that city, the Hon.
Samuel M. Brown, was born and reared in Swansea; also the
Hon. Caleb Earle, who was Lieutenant Governor of Rhode
Island from 1821 to 1824, and Col. John Albert Munroe, recently
deceased, who filled a marked place in the military and
professional history of Rhode Island.
Representation in the General Court
The first representation of Swansea in the General Court
was in 1670, when John Allen was sent to represent it at
Plymouth.
Of the long line of men who, in the last two hundred and
twenty years, have represented the town in the General Court,
Col. Jerathmiel Bowers had the longest term of service, in all
nineteen years. Next to him in length of service comes
Daniel Haile, with fourteen terms; Ephraim Pierce, with
twelve; Christopher Mason, with eight; Hugh Cole, with