William Congdon Taber

William Congdon Taber was born on 24 February 1797 in New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts.¹ He was the son of Barnabas Taber and Mary Congdon. William Congdon Taber married Hannah Tucker Shearman, daughter of David Shearman and Anna Tucker, on 29 June 1819 in New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts.¹ William Congdon Taber married Rhonda Howland, daughter of Cornelius Howland and Rhoda Wing, on 10 May 1860 in New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts.¹ William Congdon Taber died on 23 March 1886 in New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts, at age 89.¹
From My Escape from Slavery by Frederic Douglas.

Mr. Ruggles was the first officer on the "Underground Railroad" whom I met after coming North, and was, indeed, the only one with whom I had anything to do till I became such an officer myself. Learning that my trade was that of a calker, he promptly decided that the best place for me was in New Bedford, Mass. He told me that many ships for whaling voyages were fitted out there, and that I might there find work at my trade and make a good living. So, on the day of the marriage ceremony, we took our little luggage to the steamer John W. Richmond, which, at that time, was one of the line running between New York and Newport, R. I. Forty-three years ago colored travelers were not permitted in the cabin, nor allowed abaft the paddle-wheels of a steam vessel. They were compelled, whatever the weather might be, -- whether cold or hot, wet or dry, -- to spend the night on deck. Unjust as this regulation was, it did not trouble us much; we had fared much harder before. We arrived at Newport the next morning, and soon after an old fashioned stage-coach, with "New Bedford" in large yellow letters on its sides, came down to the wharf. I had not money enough to pay our fare, and stood hesitating what to do. Fortunately for us, there were two Quaker gentlemen who were about to take passage on the stage, -- Friends William C. Taber and Joseph Ricketson, -- who at once discerned our true situation, and, in a peculiarly quiet way, addressing me, Mr. Taber said: "Thee get in." I never obeyed an order with more alacrity, and we were soon on our way to our new home. When we reached "Stone Bridge" the passengers alighted for breakfast, and paid their fares to the driver. We took no breakfast, and, when asked for our fares, I told the driver I would make it right with him when we reached New Bedford. I expected some objection to this on his part, but he made none. When, however, we reached New Bedford, he took our baggage, including three music-books, -- two of them collections by Dyer, and one by Shaw, -- and held them until I was able to redeem them by paying to him the amount due for our rides. This was soon done, for Mr. Nathan Johnson not only received me kindly and hospitably, but, on being informed about our baggage, at once loaned me the two dollars with which to square accounts with the stage-driver. Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Johnson reached a good old age, and now rest from their labors. I am under many grateful obligations to them. They not only "took me in when a stranger" and "fed me when hungry," but taught me how to make an honest living. Thus, in a fortnight after my flight from Maryland, I was safe in New Bedford, a citizen of the grand old commonwealth of Massachusetts.

He was a Book Seller and Publisher.¹ He was the President of the Gas Co.³ He became the father of Elizabeth Green Taber on 18 July 1820.¹ William Congdon Taber became the father of Charles Taber on 22 April 1822.¹ William Congdon Taber became the father of Ruth Sherman Taber on 19 May 1824.¹ William Congdon's daughter Ruth Sherman Taber died on 13 November 1825.¹ William Congdon Taber became the father of Augustus Taber on 3 February 1826.¹ William Congdon Taber became the father of Ruth Shearman Taber on 23 December 1827.¹ William Congdon Taber became the father of Abraham Taber on 29 July 1830.¹ William Congdon's son Abraham Taber died on 15 November 1831.¹ William Congdon Taber became the father of Abraham S. Taber on 2 August 1832.¹ William Congdon Taber became the father of Susan Taber on 29 May 1835.¹ William Congdon Taber became the father of David Shearman Taber I on 30 July 1840.¹ William Congdon Taber became the father of Mary Anna Taber on 30 July 1840.¹ William Congdon Taber became the father of John Russell Taber on 19 February 1844.¹ William Congdon's daughter was married at wedding of Elizabeth Green Taber and Francis Thompson King on 8 January 1846 in New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts.¹ William Congdon Taber became the father of Robert Barney Taber on 4 May 1846.¹ William Congdon's daughter was married at wedding of Ruth Shearman Taber and Robert Lindley Murray on 3 May 1849 in New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts.¹ William Congdon Taber was a merchant. William Congdon's son Augustus Taber was married to Anna Haviland Ferris on 15 May 1851 in West Chester, New York.^1,4 William Congdon's mother Mary Congdon died on 26 July 1852 in New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts.¹ William Congdon's son Charles Taber was married to Sarah Jane Howland on 31 March 1853 in New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts.¹ William Congdon's father Barnabas Taber died on 10 May 1853 in New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts. William Congdon Taber became a widower with the death of his wife, Hannah Tucker Shearman on 6 September 1853 in New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts, at age 52.¹ William Congdon's son Abraham S. Taber was married to Mary Jane Howland on 25 May 1854 in Ledyard, New York.¹ William Congdon's daughter Elizabeth Green Taber died in March 1856.¹ William Congdon's son William Congdon Taber Jr was married to Sarah Anthony Wood on 27 June 1860 in New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts.¹ William Congdon's daughter was married at wedding of Mary Anna Taber and Robert Murray Ferris on 3 October 1865 in New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts.¹ William Congdon's son David Shearman Taber I was married to Elizabeth Underhill Wood on 21 October 1869 Manhattan, New York City, New York.^5,6 William Congdon Taber became a widower with the death of his wife, Rhonda Howland on 29 December 1869 in New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts, at age 73.¹ William Congdon's son John Russell Taber was married to Anna Collins on 26 September 1871 in New York City, New York.^1,5 William Congdon's son Robert Barney Taber was married to Annie Phinney Beard on 16 September 1873 in New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts.¹ William Congdon's daughter was married at wedding of Susan Taber and William Thompson on 3 November 1875 in New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts.¹ William Congdon's daughter Mary Anna Taber died on 29 August 1877 in Saratoga Springs, New York.¹ As of before 1880, William Congdon Taber lived at 50 Fourth St, New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts, with Mrs Susan (Taber) Thompson, William Thompson, Caroline Murray Ferris, Mabel Livingstone Ferris, Robert Murry Ferris Jr, Rebecca Smiley, Mary O'Donnell, May O'Donnell, Patrick Brennan and Katie Cody.³ William Congdon Taber had servant(s) Rebecca Smiley.³ William Congdon Taber had servant(s) Mary O'Donnell.³ William Congdon Taber had servant(s) Patrick Brennan.³ William Congdon Taber had servant(s) Katie Cody.³