Stevens Family Gravestone Dedication at Westport Point Historic Cemetary.
EverythingWestport.com
Saturday,
November 22, 2008
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Over 40 area residents and historians turned out on a
cold and blustery Saturday morning to participate in the dedication of an
engraved stone at the Westport Point Historic Cemetery by the Westport Historical Society in honor of the
Stevens family. Cemetery records indicate that Warren and Leland Stevens, their
mother and sisters are buried at the Point cemetery, and it is possible that
their father, John Stevens, is also buried there. According to Betty Slade of
the Westport Historical Society, “They were a unique Westport family with no
gravestone!”
The
fieldstone marker was donated by Wes Norman, Westport Cemetery Commissioner,
with the engraving provided by Albanese Monuments of Westport. The engraved
stone has been funded by gifts from people of Westport who knew and respected
Leland and Warren Stevens.
Betty Slade
explained that the information came to light about the Stevens family during Betty's
and Paul Pannoni's recording of the interred at the
Westport Point cemetery as part of the research of early burial grounds in
Westport. “As a group we have documented
116 historical cemeteries in Westport,” Ms. Slade said.
Read about Betty’s efforts with the Cemetery Identification
Program.
The Stevens
family heritage is unique for Westport. John Stevens, an African (1844-1898)
came from Annibon Island off Equatorial Guinea. It is
thought that he arrived at Westport Point sometime before the 1870's on the whaleship Mattapoisett after being rescued by Captain
George L. Manchester. Katherine Stanley Hall relates the story in her book,
"The Village of Westport Point" that after being selected as governor
of Annibon Island, John Stevens' life was threatened
by a rival party. Fleeing for his life, Stevens swam out to the whaleship Mattapoisett, which had anchored to replenish
supplies, and he begged Captain Manchester to give him safe passage. Although
this story is still unconfirmed, it remains a compelling explanation of his
arrival in Westport.
John
Stevens settled in Westport Point, marrying Minneola "Minnie" Rose
(1850-1933), a Wampanoag Indian from Aquinnah. They had eight children, and
their only two sons, Warren (1877-1955) and Leland (1891-1984) remained at the
Point and became well known and respected. Warren was chauffeur to the George
Southard family and Leland was chauffeur to the Everett Dunham family for many
years. Leland's last job was with Cornell-Dubilier
Corporation in New Bedford.
Pastor
Katherine Mitchell (above center) of the Westport Point United Methodist Church
delivered the invocation, followed by Durwood (Woody)
Vanderhoop (above right), member of the Tribal
Council of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), who sang the Memorial
Song accompanied by his drum. The Indian song, a vital part of Indian culture,
remembered those who have gone before us, contemplated the past, and celebrated
that today is a new day.
The
dedication was both solemn and spiritual as community and historical groups
came together for this gravestone dedication.
From left to right: (1) Pastor Katherine delivering the
invocation; (2) Lee Blake, president of the New Bedford Historical Society
looking over documents on the Stevens family; and (3) Leland Stevens as chauffeur.
Others in attendance were Carl Cruz of the
Historical Society and the New Bedford Whaling Museum; past and current
presidents of the Westport Historical Society; and Lee Blake, president of the
New Bedford Historical Society,
The ceremony quickly moved into the warmer confines
of Howland Hall where refreshments and stories of the Leland brothers
entertained visitors and storytellers alike. One striking one was by Charlotte Fitch, 97, of
Westport Point, who relates that her mother, Ms. Charlotte Waring,
was rescued from drowning by Warren Stevens at Horseneck Beach in 1896. “She
was trapped in a swirling, whirlpoolish
water,” Ms. Fitch said. “My mother just floated there until Warren swam out and
helped her in!” After her marriage to Douglass Fitch, Mrs. Fitch gave Warren
her father's gold watch and chain for this act of bravery. Charlotte related
that Warren proudly showed that watch to her each time he met her.
Other
stories were offered by Russ Hart, Cukie Macomber and
Howie Gifford, all of Westport. Roxane
Vanderhoop spoke about her father, Leland, and his friend
Pauline Vanderhoop, Woody’s great aunt. Roxane wore Pauline’s hat, shoes and shirt to the
dedication.
“I remember
Warren always holding conversations with the younger set,” Mr. Hart said. “He
was a very soft spoken gentleman, and it was a pleasure to have known him.”
“Leland was
always happy and laughing,” Cukie Macomber said. “He
had outstanding hands, huge hands.” This feature was noted by many in attendance.
Woody Vanderhoop’s mother, Roxanne Vanderhoop,
brought along a photo of Durwood as a toddler being
held by Leland Stevens (below, far right).
Left to right: (1) Charlotte Fitch; (2) Howie
Gifford; (3) Russ Hart (right) with Carl Cruz; (4) Woody Vanderhoop
with mom Roxane; (5) Roxane
sharing a story; and (6) A young Durwood with Leland
Stevens.
For more
information please contact the Wampanoag Tribal Office on Gay Head. Visit their
web site.
Betty Slade provided much of the information for this article. Information about this family is still being gathered and all memories would be much appreciated. The Westport Historical Society would welcome any further information or recollections about the Stevens family. Anyone with information about the family can contact WHS Director Jenny O'Neill by writing to the Westport Historical Society, PO Box N 188, Westport, MA 02790, calling (508) 636-6011 or emailing westhist@gis.net
.