Table of Contents

Biographical Note

Scope and Content Note

Information for Researchers

Administrative Information

Description

Subject Headings

Inventory of the David Batchelder Kempton Papers

In the New Bedford Whaling Museum Research Library

Biographical Note

David Batchelder Kempton was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, in 1818. His parents died when he was a child and was raised by his uncle, Ephraim Kempton. David first learned the trade of a house carpenter from his uncle and operated his own business through the mid 1840's. In 1846, he began investing in whaling vessels, and by the early 1850's, he was an agent for the industry. He continued as an active agent into the mid 1870's. In 1877, Kempton went on a grand tour of Europe for a year. Upon his return to New Bedford, he resumed his business activities but his involvement in the whaling industry had virtually ceased. He served on the board of directors of several businesses, owned commercial rental property, built houses on speculation, and served in city government, including many years on the Water Board as well as serving two terms in state government as a member of the Legislature.

He first married Sarah Bates Lindsey (1824-1846) in 1842. They had one child, Francis Horatio (b. 1844). Sarah died of consumption at age 22. Kempton married again in 1879 to Susan H. Jennings Kempton (1836-1927). It was the second marriage for both of them. Susan had been married to Charles H. S. Kempton who died at sea. In 1882, David built a large house on County Street on property which had been in the Kempton family for over 200 years. He died in New Bedford in 1899, and Susan, now a widow, continued to occupy that house until her death in 1927.

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Scope and Content Note

Papers of David B. Kempton consist of five diaries spanning the years 1878 to 1891, describing daily activities both business and personal in nature. The diaries record his daily routine including time spent in his counting room, his evening walks, his attendance at meetings of the Water Board, and daily weather observations. He also records wedding and funeral notices and social events such as lectures, musical performances, plays, and the circus. The diaries also describe celebrations of major holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the 4th of July. Kempton comments on major events in New Bedford including: fires, city, state and national elections, auctions of properties, and losses of vessels of this port. He also comments on the political climate of the city and the nation.

Kempton describes much of his business activities in these diaries. He was a member of the Robeson Building Association and reported on their meetings and activities including the settlement for its construction in 1878 and the sale of one half of it in 1889. Kempton was also involved in other real estate properties including the North End Shoe Factory and built houses on speculation in the city with various partners. He was also involved in city government and served for twenty-five years on the New Bedford Water Board. In the diaries beginning in 1880, Kempton describes the construction and management of the pumping station, laying in of pipes, visits to Quitticas Station and other water plants in the area, the 1889 decision to stop supplying mills with fresh water for their processes, as well as other activities. He also describes his service as a juror for the Supreme Court during the years 1887-1888, as a delegate for voting in members of the State Legislature, and his election and service as a Representative in the State Legislature and activities in Boston, 1888-1890. Kempton also records the activities of the committees he served on, actions taken by the House and his vote on the questions including women's suffrage.

Kempton also describes his personal activities in these diaries. These volumes begin with his return from an extended tour of Europe and references to this trip are found throughout his writings. He comments on his son, Francis Horatio, especially on his drinking problem. Kempton records events in his domestic life such as his second marriage in 1879 to Susan H. Jennings Kempton, the setting up of their home, the construction and furnishing of a new house on County Street in 1882 and the problems with domestic help. He also refers to the settlements of the Kempton heirs property and to his father- in-law's estate and the problems and court cases connected with them. He also comments on the various Lodges which he is a member of and their activities.

Kempton also describes the many excursions and trips taken, including his visits to Washington, D.C. in 1878, Saratoga and Lake George in 1886, Gettysburg and the South with comments on the Civil War in 1887, and New Hampshire to see Mt. Washington, the Flume and the Old Man in the Mountain in 1890. He also describes the numerous day trips including those to Westport, Martha's Vineyard, Providence, Newport and several clambakes in the summer months.

Arrangement of Collection

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Information for Researchers

Access to Collections

Unrestricted. Consult librarian for an appointment.

Preferred Citation

New Bedford Whaling Museum Research Library Mss 97, [sub-group, series, sub-series, folder/volume as appropriate], [item]

Copyright Notice

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted materials. The Privacy Act of 1974 (5 United States Code 552a) governs the use of materials that document private individuals, groups, and corporations.

Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a reproduction if the document does not infringe the privacy rights of an individual, group, or corporation. These specified conditions of authorized use include:

If the researcher later uses a copy or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use," the researcher is personally liable for copyright, privacy, or publicity infringement and agrees to indemnify the New Bedford Whaling Museum from any legal action as a result of the error. Permission to obtain a photographic, xerographic, digital, or other copy of a document does not indicate permission to publish, exhibit, perform, reproduce, sell, distribute, or prepare derivative works from the document without permission from the copyright holder and from any private individual, group, or corporation shown or otherwise recorded.

Permission to publish, exhibit, perform, reproduce, prepare derivative works from, sell, or otherwise distribute the item must be obtained separately in writing from the holder of the original copyright (or if the creator is dead, from his/her heirs) as well as from any individual(s), groups, or corporations whose name, image, recorded words, or private information (e.g. employment information) may be reproduced in the source material. The holder of the original copyright is not necessarily the New Bedford Whaling Museum. The New Bedford Whaling Museum is not legally liable for copyright, privacy, or publicity infringement when materials are wrongfully used after being provided to researchers for "fair use."

This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if fulfillment of the order is judged in violation of copyright or federal or state privacy law. This institution also places restrictions on the use of cameras, photocopiers, and scanners in the research room.

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Administrative Information

Provenance

Papers in this collection were purchased by the Old Dartmouth Historical Society on 20 April 1985.

Processing Information

Processed by: Judith M. Downey, 9 March 1990

Encoded by: Kermit Dewey, 24 April 2012; box list appended by Mark Procknik, 25 April 2012

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Description

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Subject Headings

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