Asahel Bliss

BLISS, DEACON ASAHEL, born Sept. 6, 1771, was the son of Jonathan Bliss and Lydia Wheeler, both of Rehoboth. He be came a devout Christian in early life, and was a prompt and regular attendant at church on the Sabbath. For more than fifty years he was an honored member of the Congregational Church at Rehoboth Village; was chosen deacon in 1808 and re-elected in 1827. Deacon Bliss lived on a farm beside the Taunton turnpike, erecting the house in 1794, which is still standing (1918). On his land was the famous Annawan Rock at the border of the great Sqannakonk Swamp, where King Philip’s last chieftain was captured. It was his pleasure to point out this historic spot to visitors who came from far and near to see it. The farm since his lay has been in the Noah Fuller family, except a piece of land including the famous rock, now the property of the Rehoboth Antiquarian Society, a gift from three of the daughters of Dea. Bliss during their lifetime.

During the long and trying controversy between the church and Rev. Otis Thompson, Dea. Bliss was chairman of the church committee, which position he sustained with much patience and discretion. When the church was re-dedicated after a thorough renovation, Dec. 5, 1906, two of Dea. Bliss’s great-great-grand children were present, and his grandson, Rev. William J. Batt, preached the sermon. A memorial window had been placed in the church in honor of Dea. Bliss by another grandson, Cornelius N. Bliss, Sr., of New York.

On the 16th of October, 1794, Mr. Bliss married Deborah, daughter of Edward Martin of Rehoboth. She was born Jan. 30, children were born to them, two of whom died in infancy.

Lois Martin, born Dec. 23, 1795, married George Bliss of Rehoboth, son of Dr. James Bliss, Jan 14, 1816. She died Nov. 24, 1838, leaving six children, three having died in infancy.

Edward, born June 24, 1799, married Lemira, daughter of Peter Carpenter of Rehoboth, March 19, 1820. He was a builder of cars and locomotives and resided in Taunton. He and Mrs. Bliss celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of their marriage March 19, 1880. They had four children.

Mary, born July 17, 1803, died Dec. 11, 1838.

Laura, born Nov. 5, 1805, married May 28, 1833, Richard W. Batt, a native of Bristol, R.I., but a resident of Fall River, Mass. She died Jan. 1, 1895. Of their five children two died in infancy. William J. Batt is a Congregational clergyman and resides at Concord Junction, Mass. He has held pastorates in Stoneham, 1859; Bedford, 1861—65; Leominster, 1865—74; Stoneham again, 1875—86; then chaplain at the Massachusetts Reformatory, Concord Junction. Charles R. Batt was President of the National Security Bank of Boston. Henry B. Batt, a New York merchant, died at sea, Nov. 12, 1874.

Asahel Newton, born Feb. 29, 1808, married Irene B. Luther of Fall River, Thanksgiving day, 1831. He died at Rehoboth July 24, 1833, of consumption. Of this union was born:

Cornelius N. Bliss, Jan. 26, 1833, who was a merchant in New York, and Secretary of the Interior under President McKinley, and who, it is said, refused to be a candidate for Vice-President at McKinley’s second nomination. Had he been nominated, he would have been President instead of Theodore Roosevelt.

Deborah Ardelia, born Jan. 11, 1810; died July 22, 1837.

Lydia, born Jan. 15, 1812, married Nathan Pratt, a farmer of Taunton, Mass., Nov. 27, 1831; died Jan. 1, 1907. Five children.

Martha Washington, born Jan. 6, 1814; married Dea. Samuel Jones of Raynham, Mass., April 3, 1838; died May 6, 1901. Seven children.

Harriet, born Feb. 9, 1817; married Dea. Josephus B. Smith of Rehoboth, May, 1837; died March 7, 1848. They moved to Illinois. She left four children.