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Gifford, John B., sonof William and Abigal (Bennett) Gifford, was born in Dartmouth. Mass., May 6, 1834. He
obtained such an education as was afforded by the common schools in those days, working on his father's farm nine
months of the year and attending school three months. At the age of fifteen he began to learn the sailmaker's trade,
working under Chapman & Bonney of New Bedford. This was in the days when the large whaling fleets fitted at
that harbor. He worked for Chapman & Bonney for five years and then was employed for two years in New York,
seven in Boston and about thirteen years in Fall River as a journeyman sailmaker. Mr. Gifford has been in this
business all his life and has hundreds of friends among the skippers. He now conducts a ship chandlery and sail
loft in the old stone building at the foot of Center street on the Providence wharf. This building is one of the
oldest in Fall River; it was built in 1835 to store the American Print Company's goods, with a top story especially
designed for a sail loft. Jonathan Peckham was the first occupant of the sail loft. He was followed by William
Nooning, then by Nooning & Zuill and then by Mr. Zuill alone. Mr. Gifford was employed by the latter as foreman
for eleven years. and in March, 1895, acquired the business. He occupies the entire building and gives employment
to several men. He is a member of Fall River Lodge No. 219, and Fall River Encampment No. 26, I.O. O. F.; he is
also a prominent Mason, being a member of Fall River Royal Arch Chapter and Council, and Godfrey de Bouillon Commandery.
Mr. Gifford was married March 22, 1856. to Alice J., daughter of Warren and Celia B. Tripp, and they have four
children: Mary H , wife of Edgar Wood. William W., Alice A., and Hattie E.
From:
Our county and its people
A descriptive and biographical history of
Bristol County, Massachusetts
Prepaired and published under the auspices of
The Fall River News and The Taunton Gasette
With assistance of Hon. Alanson Borden
The Boston History Company, Publishers, 1899.
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